Supreme Court's observations show Arvind Kejriwal treated like 'hardcore criminal': BJP's Pradeep Bhandari

New Delhi [India], September 13 (ANI): Following the Supreme Court's decision to grant Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal bail in the excise policy case on Friday, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed that while he may be out on bail, the Supreme Court has made important observations regarding his arrest.
Bhandari said, "Today, the Supreme Court made it clear in its order that the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal is legal. The court also said that he cannot sign even a single document as Chief Minister or perform any ministerial duties."
In his statement, Bhandari added that Kejriwal has been treated like a "hardcore criminal." He said, "The Supreme Court has observed that Kejriwal cannot go to the Chief Minister's office or his residence, and his counsel cannot challenge his arrest. These observations are similar to those made for hardened criminals. This makes it clear that Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI was lawful."
The BJP spokesperson further argued that the allegations of corruption surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have only strengthened over the last two years. Several senior leaders of AAP have been jailed on corruption charges, and Bhandari suggested that the party's credibility is rapidly declining. He reiterated, "Arvind Kejriwal has been behind bars like a hardcore criminal, and the Supreme Court has justified the legal process."
Bhandari also warned that the people of Delhi would reject the AAP government. "The people of Delhi will not accept hardcore criminals and corrupt individuals as their leaders. They will soon overthrow this corrupt Aam Aadmi Party government led by Kejriwal," he said.
Despite Kejriwal's release on bail, Bhandari noted that the Supreme Court's decision reinforces the seriousness of the corruption charges against him. "Even though he is out on bail, his detention has been upheld by the court," he added.
The Supreme Court has granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the CBI's corruption case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The court said that "prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty."
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, and later by the CBI on June 26 while in ED custody, in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22. (ANI)