NEW DELHI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- India's top court Friday granted an interim bail to jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until June 1 in the excise policy case.

The latest move would allow Kejriwal to campaign for his party and the opposition alliance, of which he is a key leader, in the ongoing general elections in India.

As per court directive, Kejriwal will have to surrender on June 2 and return to jail.

India is in the middle of staggered seven-phase general elections that began on April 19. So far three phases have been held and the last phase is scheduled on June 1.

Kejriwal was arrested by the federal government's financial crime-fighting agency -- Enforcement Directorate in March on charges of corruption related to the direct involvement in the formulation of the excise policy favouring specific individuals.

Several key leaders of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headed by Kejriwal were imprisoned in connection with the case. The AAP rejects any wrongdoing and says their leaders have been "falsely arrested" in a "fabricated case."

The AAP has been governing India's national capital territory for over a decade. It also governs the northern Indian state of Punjab.

The AAP is part of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a grouping led by the Congress party. The alliance was formed to challenge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)