Amit Shah: Kejriwal bail not routine, many believe special treatment given

Responding to Shah’s remarks, the AAP said in a statement: “It is shocking that Amit Shah is openly challenging the wisdom of the Supreme Court. In the past too, the BJP government under Modi-Shah has overturned several decisions of the Supreme Court like in the case of appointment of Election Commissioners, control of Delhi government etc. just because they were not in their favour. This proves that the BJP’s real mission is to bulldoze the Constitution of India and establish a dictatorship.”

Arrested in the Delhi excise policy case on March 21, Kejriwal was granted interim bail on May 10. The bail is applicable until June 1 — the last day of polling. While Kejriwal can campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, the court has barred him from visiting his office or the Delhi Secretariat, and signing official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the Lieutenant Governor’s approval.

Last week, soon after Kejriwal was granted interim bail, senior BJP leader and party national executive member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had questioned the court’s decision. “By picking a side right in the middle of elections, the lordships that be have made themselves a part of the campaign. When the billion ballots speak, they may not like it!” he had posted on X.

When contacted, Sahasrabuddhe had told The Indian Express: “The Supreme Court order sets a precedent…so people who are charged will, in future, start filing election nominations. There is also a risk that Kejriwal may tamper with the evidence.” Sahsasrabuddhe, former Rajya Sabha MP and former president of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), had said this was his “personal view”.

In his interview to ANI, when asked about Kejriwal’s remarks that he would not have to return to jail if the BJP lost the elections, Shah replied: “Dekhiye main to maanta hoon ki Supreme Court ka spasht roop se contempt hai. Inka kehne ka matlab hai ki jo vijayi hota hai, Supreme Court unko doshi hone ke baawjood bhi jail nahin bhejti. Jin judge sahabon ne unko zamaanat di hai, unko yeh sochna hai ki unke judgment ka kya upyog ya durupyog ho raha hai (I believe this is a clear contempt of the Supreme Court. He means to say that the Supreme Court does not send those who win [the elections] to jail even if they are guilty. The judges who have granted him interim bail have to consider whether their judgment is being put to use or misuse).”

Asked whether Kejriwal campaigning would boost the Opposition INDIA bloc, Shah said he (Kejriwal) was currently caught up in a different issue, hinting at the alleged assault on AAP leader Swati Maliwal at the Delhi CM’s residence. “Abhi toh woh ek alag issue mein hi phanse hain. Thoda free ho jaane deejiye phir dekho kya hota hai. Magar main itna hi kehta hoon abhi unko bechaare jis issue mein phanse hain is se niptaara laane deejiye (Right now, he is caught up in another issue. Let him get a bit free, and then see what happens. But I only want to say that you should let him resolve the problem that he is caught up in),” Shah said.

Refusing to comment further on the Maliwal issue, Shah said: “If someone complains to the police, the police will look into the matter.”

Shah also dismissed Kejriwal’s claims that the central government had installed cameras in Tihar Jail to keep a watch on him. “Tihar is with them (Delhi government), not with us. They are lying continuously. The jail administration is with the Delhi government, it’s with Kejriwal. Not with the Home Ministry,” Shah said.

A day after his release, Kejriwal had warned that with Modi turning 75 next September, those voting for the BJP would be voting for Shah (as PM), not Modi. He had also questioned whether Shah would fulfill Modi’s guarantees. Asked about this, Shah said: “Don’t take him so seriously, he (AAP) is fighting only 22 seats. And he is giving a guarantee for the entire country — I will waive off the electricity bill of people etc. You are only contesting on 22 seats, where will your government come from?”

Shah reiterated that Modi would remain the leader till 2029 and beyond. “I want to make it clear again, Modiji will remain till 2029. And Kejriwal ji, there is no good news for you. Even after 2029, Modi ji is our leader. We will contest elections under his leadership,” Shah said.

Last week, Shah had also underlined that the interim bail was not a clean chit. “Main ek baat spasht karna chahta hoon. Ek interim bail Supreme Court ne sirf aur sirf chunaav prachaar ke liye inko diya hai. Unhone Supreme Court ke saamne case daayar kiya tha ki meri arrest galat hai, jo Supreme Court ne nahin maana. Phir prayer modify kiya ki mujhe bail diya jaaye. Woh bhi Supreme Court ne nahin maana. Sirf aur sirf chunaav prachar karne ke liye ek taareekh tak ka bail diya gaya hai, aur do taareekh ko unko phir se agenciyon ke saamne surrender karna hai. Aur agar Arvind Kejriwal is cheez ko clean chit maante hain to mujhe lagta hai ki inki kaanoon ki samajh badi nirbal hai (I want to make one thing clear. The Supreme Court has granted the interim bail only for campaigning for the elections. He had pleaded before the Supreme Court that his arrest was wrong, but the Supreme Court did not accept it. Then he modified the prayer to say he should be given bail. The Supreme Court did not accept that too. He has been granted bail only for campaigning till June 1, and he has to again surrender before the agencies on June 2. If Arvind Kejriwal considers this a clean chit, I think his understanding of the law is very weak),” he had said in Telangana.