Delhi Excise Policy Case: ‘I have to surrender on June 2’, says CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he has to surrender on June 2 and return to Tihar jail. On May 10, the Supreme Court of India granted him interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier arrested the AAP supremo in connection with the money laundering case linked to the excise policy case.
Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal said, “The Supreme Court had given me 21 days to campaign for the elections. The day after tomorrow I will go back to Tihar Jail. I don’t know how long these people will keep me in jail this time. But my spirits are high.”
“I am proud that I am going to jail to save the country from dictatorship. They tried to break me in many ways, tried to silence me, but they (BJP) did not succeed. When I was in jail, they tortured me in many ways. They stopped my medicines… I don’t know what these people wanted. Why did they do this?” he said.
The chief minister stated that he would leave his home to surrender at 3 pm on June 2, while alleging that the ruling party may “torture” him more in the prison. “It is possible that this time they may torture me more, but I will not bow down… Wherever I live, inside or outside.”
Kejriwal further assured that the development work of Delhi will not stop even if he is in jail. “I will not let Delhi’s work stop. Your free electricity, mohalla clinics, hospitals, free medicines, treatment, 24-hour electricity, and many other things will continue.”
“After returning, I will also start giving ₹1000 every month to every mother and sister. Today, I want to ask you for something for my family. My parents are very old. My mother is very ill. I worry a lot about her in jail. Take care of my parents after me, pray for them…,” he added.
Kejriwal has sought an extension of his interim bail by seven days to undergo a host of medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, given his “sudden and unexplained weight loss coupled with high ketone levels”, which are indicative of kidney, serious cardiac ailments and even cancer.
However, the top court rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking a seven-day extension of his interim bail in the liquor policy case. It refused to accept the application, saying since Kejriwal was given liberty to move the trial court for regular bail, the plea is not maintainable.
Delhi CM faces corruption and money laundering charges in excise policy scam. The charges pertain to the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.
