The Supreme Court on Friday granted an interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after 50 days of arrest in the liquor scam case. The top court granted Kejriwal the bail to allow him to campaign for his party in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. However, the decision triggered intense conversations on social media with many highlighting the Supreme Court’s double standard as they pointed out the court’s refusal to grant bail to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a tribal politician.
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While granting bail to Kejriwal, the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, “The appellant – Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi and a leader of one of the national parties. No doubt, serious accusations have been made, but he has not been convicted. He does not have any criminal antecedents. He is not a threat to the society.”
Moments after the top court’s bail order, Kejriwal walked out of Delhi’s notorious Tihar Jail amidst much fanfare.
While out on bail, Kejriwal will not be allowed to his office or the Delhi secretariat, and sign official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor’s approval.
His release for 21 days comes just before the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls scheduled for 13 May.
55-year-old Kejriwal, according to news agency PTI, thanked the top court as he said, “We have to save the country from dictatorship, I will fight with all my might but need the support of 140 crore people.”
Meanwhile, many were quick to highlight the Supreme Court’s double standard since it had earlier rejected Soren’s interim bail application on the same ground.
Those celebrating Kejriwal’s release, do spare a moment to think of the jailed Hemant Soren, a tribal, on much lesser charges.
Equal justice for all.#ArvindKejriwal #HemantSoren#LokSabhaElection2024
— Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) May 10, 2024
🧵 Don’t Forget
Today Everyone is talking about the justice given to Arvind Kejriwal but we should not forget a Tribal former CM Hemant Soren.
He hasn’t got justice yet.#ArvindKejriwal #SupremeCourt#EnforcementDirectorate pic.twitter.com/3iShklYVHx
— Harsh Tiwari (@harsht2024) May 10, 2024
While Kejriwal gets bail Hemant Soren is still under arrest.
— @UrbanShrink 🌻 (@UrbanShrink) May 10, 2024
Milord,Kejriwal has bn granted bail.
Is this a fundamental right?
Is there any provision for such verdict?
Is this Constitutional by?
Is this Justice?,
Now grant Bai to Soren too!
Free all culprits bcz election is a rare festival😎
You r marketable.#दोगली_न्याय_व्यवस्था pic.twitter.com/7hA3yZytsL— jitendra sharma (@jitendr14158524) May 10, 2024
Respect the decision, calling #दोगली_न्याय_व्यवस्था won’t resolve.
It’s not about #Kejriwal
Justice system fails 8,000 Lekhpals but grants bail to a accused due to elections.Won’t be shock if SC grants bail to Hemant Soren.
Unlock all the jails till June 4 😒 pic.twitter.com/sktqZ3BkXW
— सूरज 𝕏 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AnIndianBoi) May 10, 2024