Arvind Kejriwal finally gets bail after 6 months, but conditions apply

SC slams CBI, asks them not to act like a “caged parrot”

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has secured bail from the Supreme Court in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) high-profile excise policy scam case. However, his future as Chief Minister hangs in the balance as the court imposed stringent conditions that could cripple his ability to govern, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ramps up pressure for his resignation.

Supreme Court’s Bail Conditions: A Recipe for Administrative Paralysis

The Supreme Court’s bail conditions could effectively immobilize Kejriwal’s role as Chief Minister. Among the most restrictive measures, Kejriwal is barred from visiting the Delhi Secretariat, the hub of his administrative duties, and cannot sign official documents. This leaves him in the precarious position of being a Chief Minister without the functional authority to manage his responsibilities.

Further complicating matters, Kejriwal’s passport is held by the court, preventing international travel. He is required to report to the investigation officer twice a week and is prohibited from communicating with witnesses or commenting on the excise policy case. These constraints not only hinder his governance but also impede his ability to leverage his situation for political gain in upcoming Haryana elections.

BJP Doubts Kejriwal’s Integrity: Calls for Immediate Resignation

Despite the Supreme Court’s bail order, the BJP remains unforgiving. Gaurav Bhatia, the party’s spokesperson and lawyer, launched a scathing attack on Kejriwal, emphasizing that the bail does not equate to acquittal. “Kejriwal hasn’t secured any relief from the court. There’s no acquittal, only an ongoing trial. The AAP must answer why Kejriwal refuses to resign,” Bhatia said. The BJP is unapologetically branding Kejriwal with derogatory terms like “kattar beimaan” and “bail wala CM”.

Adding to the BJP’s offensive, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva urged Kejriwal to step down, accusing him and the AAP of lacking moral integrity. “If he has any sense of morality left, he should resign immediately. They are a far cry from ‘Satyameva Jayate’,” Sachdeva declared.

A Question of Morality and Precedent

The BJP’s demand for Kejriwal’s resignation is underscored by earlier Supreme Court observations. On July 12, when granting interim bail, the Court had hinted at the resignation of constitutional functionaries embroiled in such cases, reflecting on Kejriwal’s pivotal role and the gravity of the allegations.

As Kejriwal grapples with these formidable challenges, the political stakes have never been higher for Delhi’s embattled Chief Minister.