Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail in the excise corruption case by vacation judge Nyaya Bindu of Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Thursday. He will be released from Tihar Jail on Friday after posting a one lakh rupee bail bond. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) plans to challenge this decision in the Delhi High Court on Friday.
After the court's decision, AAP supporters gathered at Kejriwal's residence, celebrating by burning stakes. Kejriwal's lawyer argued that the ED has no concrete evidence against him, claiming the case relies on statements from witnesses promised bail and amnesty. The ED's request for a 48-hour stay on the bail was denied. AAP MLA Dilip Pandey hailed the verdict as a victory for truth, insisting the case was fabricated. Kejriwal's lawyer contested claims that a group from Telangana, referred to as the 'southern group,' conspired to obtain excise licenses in Delhi, stating there was no evidence of a 100-crore rupee transaction.
Kejriwal, arrested by the ED on March 21, continued to serve as Chief Minister from jail. Previously, he received interim bail for campaigning but returned to jail on June 2. The ED alleges corruption in the drafting of Delhi's 2021-22 excise policy, which was later canceled.
