Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are set to greet Arvind Kejriwal as he walks out of Tihar jail today after being granted bail in a corruption case linked to the Delhi liquor policy. However, the Delhi High Court has agreed to an urgent hearing of the ED or Enforcement Directorate’s plea challenging the bail. The high court stated that the trial court’s order will not be implemented until it reviews the case.
The Delhi court had granted bail to the Delhi Chief Minister after his lawyer argued that the ED had presented no evidence against Kejriwal. The ED swiftly challenged the bail in the high court.
Ahead of Kejriwal’s release this evening, AAP will present a united front as they protest over a water shortage in the national capital. Water Minister Atishi and Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, will visit Raj Ghat, where Atishi will begin an indefinite hunger strike.
Delhi is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures soaring over 50 degrees Celsius, exacerbating a critical water crisis. The Delhi Government has approached the Supreme Court, claiming that neighbouring Haryana is blocking water from entering the national capital.
Atishi, in her appeal, stated, “Till the time Haryana doesn’t release water into the Yamuna, water shortage will continue in Delhi. Munak Canal is receiving very little water and Wazirabad Barrage is receiving none. The water from Yamuna is treated and supplied to Delhi’s public. But there is no water in Yamuna, halting the supply. I can only appeal to the Haryana Government with folded hands to save the lives of Delhi’s public.”
Around 4 pm today, Atishi and other AAP leaders will go to Tihar jail as Kejriwal walks out of the prison.
The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 over money laundering allegations related to the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised concerns. The ED alleges that the money Kejriwal received from liquor sellers was used to fund the party’s campaign in Goa, as he is the AAP convenor.
Kejriwal and the AAP have consistently claimed that the Centre has been misusing its agencies to harass the Opposition with false cases.
Yesterday, the judge ordered Kejriwal’s release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, imposing conditions that he would not interfere with the investigation or influence witnesses. The high court’s intervention now halts this order, pending further review.
The judge also directed Kejriwal to appear before the court whenever required and to cooperate with the investigation.
