New Delhi: The interim bail granted to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal so that he can campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections hasn’t gone down well with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the interim bail was ‘special treatment’ to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief.
“I believe this is not a routine judgment. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given (to Kejriwal),” Shah told ANI.
Shah also accused Kejriwal of contempt of Supreme Court vis-à-vis the Delhi CM’s statement that he won’t have to return to jail if the Opposition INDIA bloc wins majority in the general elections on June 4.
“I believe this is clear contempt of the Supreme Court. He is trying to say that if someone emerges victorious (in elections), the Supreme Court does not send them to jail even if they are guilty. The judges that granted him bail have to think how their judgment is being used or misused,” Shah stated.
Asked about Kejriwal’s allegation that the Central government installed hidden cameras inside Tihar Jail to monitor his movements, Shah said it was a lie.
“Tihar comes under his (Delhi government) administration. They keep on lying. Union Home Ministry has nothing to do with Delhi jail administration,” Shah retorted.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case on March 21, was released from Tihar on May 10 after Supreme Court granted him interim bail with conditions.
Kejriwal can’t visit the chief minister’s office or Delhi Secretariat during the period of his interim bail. He has been directed not to comment about the liquor policy case or interact with any of the witnesses.
Kejriwal has to surrender to prison authorities by June 2, a day after the seventh and final phase of polling ends.
