Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi and a prominent leader in the opposition alliance challenging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national elections, was released from jail on bail by the country’s top court.
Kejriwal, who had been in custody for weeks, used his newfound freedom to rally against what he called “dictatorship” and to urge his compatriots to resist it.
His release came after his party, a part of the opposition bloc, claimed that his arrest was a politically motivated move orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to sideline its opponents ahead of the elections. Kejriwal, along with several other leaders of the alliance, is under criminal investigation.
In a press conference following his release, Kejriwal emphasized the importance of the upcoming election, stating that it would determine the fate of democracy in India. He accused Prime Minister Modi of targeting opposition leaders with criminal probes, describing it as a dangerous mission to silence dissent.
Kejriwal’s government had faced accusations of corruption in 2021 due to its decision to liberalize the sale of liquor and relinquish a government stake in the sector. Although the policy was later withdrawn, the resulting probe into the alleged corrupt allocation of licenses led to the imprisonment of two of Kejriwal’s top allies.
Despite his arrest, Kejriwal refused to step down from his position as chief minister, leading to rallies in his support across major cities in India. Upon his release, he was greeted by over 1,000 cheering supporters outside Tihar Jail in Delhi.
Kejriwal, known for his anti-corruption stance, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He criticized the Prime Minister, stating that while he was sent to jail, Modi claimed to be fighting against corruption. Kejriwal’s temporary release from jail was granted by the Supreme Court on the condition that he returns to custody after the last day of voting on June 1.
The court also imposed restrictions on Kejriwal, prohibiting him from making public comments on the case against him, interacting with witnesses, or visiting the offices of the Delhi government.
Kejriwal’s release and the circumstances surrounding his arrest are part of a broader concern over the shrinking democratic space in India. International rights groups, along with Modi’s political opponents, have criticized the BJP for allegedly using government institutions to target its political rivals.
Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi, another prominent opposition leader, are leading members of an alliance composed of more than two dozen parties contesting the Indian elections. With voting taking place in seven phases over six weeks, the results are expected on June 4.
