Kejriwal's bail was granted on a bond of ₹10 lakh, with the requirement of two sureties. The court also directed him not to make any public comments on the merits of the case during his period of release, signaling the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Surya Kant, who presided over the case, noted that the arrest did not suffer from illegality but agreed that the conditions warranted his release from custody.
The allegations against Kejriwal stem from claims that the excise policy, which was aimed at restructuring liquor sales in the national capital, was manipulated to benefit certain private entities, leading to a massive loss in government revenue. This case has been under investigation by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), as part of broader anti-corruption measures initiated across various sectors of governance.
Prominent leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Manish Sisodia and Atishi, expressed relief following the court's ruling. Sisodia remarked that the decision was a victory in what he described as a "fight against lies and conspiracies," while Atishi took to social media, stating that “truth can be troubled but not defeated.” Raghav Chadha, another senior AAP leader, also extended his gratitude to the judiciary, underscoring the importance of this legal victory for the party and its leadership.
The controversy around the Delhi excise policy has placed immense political pressure on the AAP government. The policy itself, introduced in 2021, was intended to boost revenue by restructuring liquor licenses, promoting privatization in the sector, and regulating distribution. However, accusations quickly surfaced, suggesting that the process had favored certain players within the liquor industry, triggering multiple investigations and arrests.
Kejriwal has maintained his innocence throughout, framing the case as politically motivated and part of a larger effort to weaken his administration. His legal team had contended that the evidence presented was insufficient for continued incarceration, an argument the Supreme Court appeared to acknowledge in its decision to grant bail.
While Kejriwal’s release marks a significant development in this saga, the larger legal battle is far from over. Both the CBI and ED are continuing their investigations, and further hearings are expected to shed light on whether Kejriwal will face additional charges. His release also does not halt the inquiries into other senior AAP leaders, some of whom remain under scrutiny in connection to the excise policy.
The implications of this ruling extend beyond Kejriwal’s personal legal challenges. The bail decision could potentially shift the political landscape in Delhi, where Kejriwal has maintained a firm grip on power for several years. Despite the controversies, his leadership has enjoyed considerable support, both from the public and within his party.
However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has used the excise policy controversy to challenge AAP’s claims of clean governance. Leaders within the BJP have consistently criticized the Kejriwal administration, suggesting that the corruption allegations reveal deeper systemic issues within his party’s functioning. Whether this case will significantly impact AAP’s political fortunes remains a subject of debate, though Kejriwal’s legal battles are likely to be a key talking point in the months to come.