Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was planning to comfortably spend tonight at Sheesh Mahal, with the Aam Aadmi Party celebrating his anticipated release from jail. They rejoiced by setting off fireworks, sharing sweets, and holding dance and song celebrations. However, despite their preparations, there is now grief as Kejriwal remains in custody, with uncertainty about how many more evenings he will spend in Tihar.
Kejriwal’s release has been halted by the High Court. This morning, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) contested the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court’s order that granted Kejriwal’s release. The High Court had a long hearing today and has reserved its ruling. Until the ruling is issued, Kejriwal will remain in custody, creating a significant twist in his release saga.
During the High Court hearing today, it was determined that Kejriwal would spend the night in Tihar, not only tonight but also potentially in the future. The Aam Aadmi Party had prematurely celebrated, not heeding warnings to fully comprehend the situation before rejoicing. Crackers were burst and sweets distributed, but now the High Court has unequivocally denied Kejriwal’s release for the time being.
The ED appealed to the High Court to stay Kejriwal’s release, arguing that the bail order should be contested. The judge handling the bail order decided early in the morning that the matter would be taken up, rendering the Aam Aadmi Party’s celebrations premature.
One Aam Aadmi Party leader mentioned that many leaders visited Kejriwal’s house, wondering about his situation. They planned to visit Bhogal, where Atishi Marlena is on a hunger strike, highlighting the concern for Delhi’s people both inside and outside jail. The High Court’s decision deflated the Aam Aadmi Party’s plans.
The ED made strong arguments, and on social media, people discussed the judge’s actions, which has not been viewed positively. The ED firmly opposed Kejriwal’s release, raising questions about the justice system and emphasizing that the guilty party should be punished to convey a message to society.
Justice should seem just, punishing the guilty and not appearing to protect criminals. The lack of stringent legislation and reliance on loopholes has been problematic. If Kejriwal were released, questions regarding other leaders like Manish Yashodhara would arise, leading to more bails and perceived injustices.
In high-profile cases, it is essential that the judge thoroughly examines all documents and evidence. The decision to stay the bail order indicates the High Court’s sensitivity to fundamental rights. Until the bail plea is heard or decided, Kejriwal will remain in custody.
Reports indicate the court will render its ruling on Monday or Tuesday, deciding on the stay. The bail judgment is that the stay will last until the hearing, meaning Kejriwal’s situation remains uncertain.
The government’s handling of this issue has been criticized, with calls for a change in approach. Sending Kejriwal to jail won’t garner sympathy, but it highlights flaws in the system. The Chief Minister won’t resign and will remain in jail, with the situation affecting Delhi’s governance.
The court process is ongoing, with the Modi government urged to act even on the political front. The system appears farcical, and without implementing Article 356, there’s concern about the nation’s direction. Issues in Bengal and Manipur were mentioned, emphasizing that political decisions often neglect the larger constitutional framework. The High Court has dealt a severe blow to Kejriwal’s release, revoking his bail granted in the Delhi Liquor Policy case within 24 hours. The ED’s petition led to the Vacation Bench of Delhi High Court staying the Rouse Avenue Court’s decision until the ruling on June 24th or 25th. Kejriwal is likely to remain in jail, with no immediate release expected.