Kejriwal's warning after coming out of jail: Fight against anti-national forces will intensify

INDC Network: New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail on Friday, September 13, 2024 after being granted bail by the Supreme Court. As soon as he came out of the jail, he was given a rousing welcome by his supporters and party leaders. After his release, Kejriwal held a roadshow from Chandgi Ram Akhara to his official residence as a show of strength, which was attended by a large number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and supporters.

On this occasion, Kejriwal said in his first public statement that he has become even stronger during his stay in jail and now his fight against the "anti-national forces" trying to weaken the country will intensify. In his address, he said, "Prison cannot weaken me. They thought that by putting me in jail, my morale would be broken, but today I am coming out and telling you that my morale has increased 100 times."

On this occasion, Kejriwal expressed concern over the current situation in the country and said that this is a very important time, as some anti-national forces are trying to weaken the country. He said, "I am committed to fight the forces that weaken this country and this fight is going to gain more momentum now." Linking this struggle with the spirit of patriotism, he told his supporters that this fight is not just for him, but for every citizen of the country.

The Delhi Chief Minister was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case of alleged corruption related to the now abolished Delhi Excise Policy. After this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him on charges of money laundering, but the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the money laundering case on July 12, 2024. However, he could not get release from jail due to the corruption case registered by the CBI.

On Friday, the Supreme Court granted bail to the Delhi Chief Minister, saying that keeping him in custody for a long time is an "unreasonable violation of freedom". Justice Suryakant upheld Kejriwal's arrest, saying that there was no procedural irregularity in it, but Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan termed the arrest as improper.

However, the Supreme Court has imposed certain conditions on Kejriwal. He has been barred from visiting the Chief Minister's Office or the Delhi Secretariat and has been directed not to make any public statement on the merits of the case. The court also clarified that the bail conditions imposed by the ED will also apply to the corruption case.

Kejriwal's lawyer, senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, argued in court that the Delhi Chief Minister is a constitutional functionary and there is no risk of him fleeing or tampering with evidence as all relevant documents have already been collected by the CBI.

The AAP leader's supporters had also called it political vendetta since the time of his arrest and his stay in jail was being seen as a conspiracy against the Aam Aadmi Party. Now, after coming out of jail, Kejriwal thanked the lakhs of people who showed support to his party and said, "I am thankful to God and thank the lakhs of people who stood by me despite this heavy rain."

With his release, the political atmosphere has become more heated. While his supporters are calling it a victory for democracy, the opposition is considering it a victory of judicial process. The debate on this issue continues, but the crowd that came out in support of Kejriwal as soon as he came out of jail made it clear that this case has not affected his popularity.

Kejriwal concluded his speech by saying that staying in jail has strengthened his resolve and he will move forward with even more energy to serve his country. "This fight is not over, it is just beginning," he promised his supporters.