After the Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shehzad Poonawalla said that Kejriwal has returned as “Ceremonial Minister,” as apart from staying in his house, there is no work left for him.
Poonawalla said on September 14, “When somebody has been granted bail, he has not been declared corruption-free and guilt-free. They are celebrating it as has become a celebration of corruption. The question is that somebody went in as CM, Chief Minister and has returned as CM, Ceremonial Minister. Because apart from being a ceremonial person and staying in ‘Sheesh Mahal’, there is no other work left for Delhi CM. He can’t sign files. He has to obey the orders and directions of the court. He has to be present for the investigations.”
“He cannot go to the CM office and can’t discharge any duties or functions as a CM as such. So this shows that the court itself has not given him any clean chit,” he added.
The Delhi CM offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place on September 14.
On September 13 evening, Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar jail hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail. The apex court, however, also set certain limitations, like barring him from entering the CM office and signing files.
He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21. Kejriwal’s lawyer, Rishikesh Kumar, while speaking to media, listed out the bail condition set by SC.
“Conditions given are the furnishing of a surety bond of Rs 10 lakh each has to be submitted. This is being done. The second condition imposed is that he will join the trial on each date unless an exemption is moved by him,” he said.
To summarise the conditions applied by SC, Delhi CM has to submit a surety bond of Rs 10 lakh. He cannot make any comments about the Delhi excise policy case. Kejriwal cannot enter the CM office and sign official documents unless absolutely necessary to obtain the Lieutenant Governor’s sanctions. He can’t enter the CM office or Delhi secretariat. The Chief Minister will have to be present for trial unless exempted by the court.
(with inputs from ANI)
