Arvind Kejriwal's Bail Conditions: Can't Enter Delhi CMO, No Official Duties, Restriction On Public Comments

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the ongoing Delhi liquor policy case, where he is accused of corruption and irregularities. Kejriwal, who has been in jail since April 1, 2024, was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and later by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for his alleged role in the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.

The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail comes after Kejriwal had already received relief in the ED case.

While granting him bail in the CBI case, the court outlined several conditions that the Delhi Chief Minister must adhere to, some of which were also imposed during his earlier bail:

Bail Bond: Kejriwal's release is contingent on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh.

Restriction on Public Comments: He is barred from making any public comments or statements related to the Delhi liquor policy case.

Mandatory Court Appearances: Kejriwal must be present for all trial proceedings unless specifically exempted by the courts.

Ban from Chief Minister's Office: While out on bail, Kejriwal is not allowed to enter the Chief Minister's office or the Delhi secretariat.

No Official Duties: He is prohibited from signing any official documents or files during the bail period.

Allegations and Background

The case centers around allegations that Kejriwal, along with other leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), engineered loopholes in the Delhi excise policy of 2021-22 to favor certain liquor lobbyists in exchange for kickbacks.

Investigators allege that the funds generated from this scheme were diverted to fund AAP's electoral campaign in Goa.

Both the CBI and the ED are investigating these claims, with Kejriwal's arrest by the ED on March 21 being a key moment in the case.

Since then, the Delhi Chief Minister has been embroiled in legal battles over his role in the excise policy, with both agencies scrutinizing the transactions and decisions made under his leadership.

While Kejriwal has denied all allegations, asserting that the charges are politically motivated, the investigations continue to gain national attention, especially with the upcoming elections in Delhi. The Delhi liquor policy was withdrawn by the AAP government in 2022 after opposition parties and investigative agencies raised concerns about its integrity.