Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal walks out of Tihar after 50 days, says must save country from dictatorship

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday walked out of Tihar after spending 50 days in jail following the Supreme Court 's order granting him interim bail in the excise policy case .

"I have a request, we have to save the country from dictatorship. I am fighting against it with all might," CM Kejriwal said after walking out of Tihar.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, 2024. A large crowd of supporters gathered outside Tihar jail to welcome the CM with dhol, sweets and dance celebrations.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, party leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and AAP general secretary Sandeep Pathak when he was released. The Chief Minister then proceeded to his official residence.

In April of this year, AAP MP Sanjay Singh was also released on bail from Tihar jail following the top court's order, after spending over six months in jail in connection with the excise policy case.

The Supreme Court has granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1, with the condition that he shall not visit the Office of the Chief Minister or the Delhi Secretariat. As per the court order, "the Delhi CM shall furnish bail bonds in the sum of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent. Also, he shall not visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat."

The apex court also stipulated that Kejriwal would not interact with any of the witnesses or have access to any official files connected with the case. "He will not make any comment with regard to his role in the present case," the bench ordered.

The bench clarified that the grant of interim bail will not be treated as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case or the criminal appeal which is pending consideration before it. With the general elections in Delhi scheduled for May 25, the AAP supremo is likely to participate in the party's election campaigns.