Kejriwal released on bail but not yet acquitted: Pralhad Joshi

Hubballi (Karnataka), September 13 (IANS): After the Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal in the corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged liquor scandal, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that although the Delhi Chief Minister has been released on bail, he has not yet been acquitted.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader can now leave jail after nearly six months without trial as he has already been granted bail in the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Speaking to the media in Hubballi, Joshi said, “The jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been released on bail by the judiciary. However, the court has not yet acquitted him. Earlier, Lalu Prasad Yadav was also released on bail but was later convicted. The BJP has full faith in the judiciary.”

“The conviction of Lalu Prasad shows that the Indian judicial system is of the highest standards,” added the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Joshi also said that the country’s courts were functioning fairly and impartially, adding that the opposition parties, including the Congress, should understand this.

On July 12, the Supreme Court ordered Kejriwal to be released on bail in connection with the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, but he could not leave the jail as he was arrested by the CBI.

Recently, the Supreme Court allowed the bail pleas of senior AAP politician and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, BRS politician K. Kavitha and former AAP Communications Officer Vijay Nair in the excise policy case.

In another context, Joshi also said it would be better if West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee resigns.

“CM Mamata Banerjee is staging a resignation drama. She is not capable of running the government effectively as the Chief Minister of West Bengal. She has failed to ensure proper governance,” Joshi alleged.

“She has also failed to provide justice to the people who brought her to power. Rather than continuing this trend, it would be appropriate for her to resign,” Joshi said.