BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj slams Arvind Kejriwal as “negligent” CM after SC grants him bail in Delhi excise policy case

New Delhi [India], September 13 (ANI): Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj on Friday criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, calling him a “negligent” leader of a “carefree” government.

Her remarks followed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

Earlier in the day, the SC granted bail to the Delhi CM in the case registered by the CBI. The SC said that prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty.

“Arvind Kejriwal has been barred from signing any files as Chief Minister and from going to the CM’s office,” the BJP MP said while addressing a press conference after Kejriwal’s bail was granted.

She emphasised that courts have upheld the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest. “Court proceedings have repeatedly confirmed that Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest is legal. The Trial Court, High Court, and Supreme Court have all found this to be true. The SC has found this before in ED’s case, and they have said the same thing,” the MP added.

Swaraj explained that the arrest was found to be legal because the investigating agencies had sufficient evidence.

“This indicates that the investigating agencies had adequate evidence, materials, and statements, which led to the conclusion that Kejriwal’s arrest was justified. It also points to his involvement as the kingpin of the liquor scam,” she said.

Swaraj further said that Kejriwal is making Delhi suffer by not resigning from his post. “The Supreme Court had suggested that the Delhi Chief Minister should step down. The way he has been holding onto the chair of CM, it is because of his stubbornness that Delhi is suffering. But Kejriwal did not understand the Supreme Court’s suggestion,” she said.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia also criticised the Delhi Chief Minister, sarcastically saying that the “jail wala” CM has now become the “bail wala” CM.

Bhatia further attacked Kejriwal for his earlier remarks, where he suggested that politicians facing allegations should resign. Bhatia added that Kejriwal will not resign because he “lacks even a drop of morality.”

Kejriwal was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with a money laundering case relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22 on March 21, 2024. Later on June 26, 2024, he was arrested by CBI while he was in ED custody in the case.