Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Leaders Offer Prayers at Hanuman Temple Amid Legal Battle

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife and AAP colleagues, offered prayers at the Hanuman temple following his bail in the Delhi excise policy case. The Supreme Court has imposed stringent conditions, including barring him from entering the CM office and requiring a Rs 10 lakh surety bond.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, visited the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place on Saturday to offer prayers. The visit came a day after his release from Tihar jail. Joining him were former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh.

The Supreme Court granted Kejriwal bail on Friday in the Delhi excise policy case, but imposed several restrictions. These include a prohibition on entering the CM office and signing official files.

Kejriwal's lawyer, Rishikesh Kumar, detailed the bail conditions in an ANI interview. "The conditions include submitting a Rs 10 lakh surety bond. He must also attend all trial dates unless formally exempted." Kumar added that these are similar to conditions from a prior ED arrest, particularly the prohibition on official duties.

If Kejriwal wishes to modify these conditions, he will need to file an application, Kumar stated, noting the Supreme Court's potential to amend conditions initially imposed in the ED matter. The conditions summarize as: submission of a Rs 10 lakh surety bond, prohibition on discussing the Delhi excise policy case, and restrictions on entering the CM office or signing documents without necessary approval. He is also mandated to appear for trial unless otherwise exempted.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, in connection with a money laundering probe tied to alleged irregularities in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy 2021-22. On June 26, 2024, he was further arrested by the CBI while still under ED custody in the excise case.

(With inputs from agencies.)