India’s highest court has ordered the release of Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent opponent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from jail on bail. This decision allows Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a key leader in the opposition alliance, to resume campaigning in the ongoing national election.
Kejriwal had been detained in March due to a corruption investigation that has been ongoing for some time. He is among several leaders of the opposition bloc facing criminal probes, with allegations that his arrest just before the election was politically motivated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta of the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal bail until June 1, which is the final day of voting in the six-week election period.
The corruption allegations against Kejriwal’s government stem from a policy implemented in 2021 regarding the sale of liquor. Although the policy was later revoked, an investigation into alleged corrupt practices in the allocation of licenses resulted in the imprisonment of two of Kejriwal’s close associates.
Despite ongoing protests and claims of innocence, Kejriwal has faced scrutiny from India’s financial crimes agency, the Enforcement Directorate, which had repeatedly summoned him for questioning.
Kejriwal, known for his anti-corruption stance, has been the Chief Minister of Delhi for almost a decade and has been actively involved in politics as a vocal critic of government corruption.
