Arvind Kejriwal Granted Interim Bail: What Kejriwal All Is NOT Allowed To Do In 21-day Bail Period?

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court until June 1, allowing him to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party and the INDIA bloc in the upcoming elections.

Following June 1, Kejriwal will be required to surrender and return to jail in accordance with the bail conditions set forth by the court.

What Kejriwal All Is Not Allowed To Do In a 21-day Bail Period?

During this interim period, several specific conditions apply:

1. Chief Ministerial Duties: No duties of the chief minister of Delhi will be performed by Kejriwal. He is prohibited from visiting the chief minister's office and Delhi Secretariat.

2. Liquor Probe Comments: Kejriwal is barred from making any comments regarding his role in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, for which he was arrested.

3. Bail Bond Requirement: Kejriwal must furnish bail bonds of ₹50,000 and provide one surety of the same amount for his release from Tihar jail, to the satisfaction of the jail superintendent.

4. Official File Signing: Kejriwal will refrain from signing official files unless it is required and necessary for obtaining clearance or approval from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

5. Witness Interaction and File Access: Kejriwal is not permitted to interact with any witnesses or access official files connected with the case.

6. Bail Purpose Clarification: The interim bail granted to Kejriwal is not indicative of an opinion on the merits of the case against him.

The Supreme Court justified its decision based on the impending elections, highlighting that Kejriwal, with no prior criminal convictions, does not pose a threat to society. Despite opposition from the Enforcement Directorate, which argued against granting interim bail for election campaigning by a political leader, the court adopted a holistic and libertarian view in light of the electoral context.