Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered at the high-security Tihar Jail on Sunday after his 21-day interim bail, granted by the Supreme Court to allow him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, expired.
The Supreme Court had granted Kejriwal interim bail on May 10 in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam, instructing him to surrender by June 2. “I am returning to jail not because of corruption but because I dared to challenge dictatorship,” Kejriwal stated, addressing AAP leaders and supporters at the party headquarters.
Reflecting on his temporary release, Kejriwal remarked, “These 21 days were unforgettable. I did not waste a single moment. I campaigned tirelessly for the country’s future. The AAP is secondary; the nation comes first.”
In a heartfelt post on the social media platform ‘X’, he expressed gratitude towards the Supreme Court: “On the orders of the honourable Supreme Court, I was granted 21 days to campaign. I thank the honourable Supreme Court for this relief.”
He urged his followers to stay strong, adding, “Take care of yourselves. Your happiness will keep me content in jail. Jai Hind.” Kejriwal also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding his next release, saying he was unsure when he would be able to step out of prison again.
Reacting to exit polls predicting a third term for the BJP-led NDA, Kejriwal dismissed them as “fake”. He insisted, “These exit polls are psychological tactics designed to demoralize us. The NDA is not forming a government on June 4.”
Prior to his surrender, Kejriwal paid homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat and visited the ancient Hanuman temple in Connaught Place.
Kejriwal’s release on May 10 allowed him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. The interim bail, granted for 21 days by the Supreme Court, was in relation to a money laundering case tied to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The bail period ended on June 1, coinciding with the conclusion of the final phase of the general elections.
