I won't bow down: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in his address before surrendering to jail
New Delhi/IBNS: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged liquor policy scam, will surrender to Tihar Jail on June 2 when his interim bail will expire.
In an address ahead of his surrendering, Kejriwal said, "I have no idea how many days I will have to remain in jail this time. But I am not losing my courage. I am going to jail to protect the country from dictatorship. They have tried to silence me in a number of ways but they are not successful."
Kejriwal accused the BJP of conspiring against him and trying to cause harm to his health.
"When I was in jail, they stopped my medicines. I have been suffering from diabetes for the last 20 years. I regularly take insulin.
"I have no idea what they wanted. I lost 6 kgs of weight since I was arrested. Even after coming out of jail, I couldn't gain weight, which doctors claim might be an indication of a disease," he said.
Kejriwal mentioned he will leave home for Tihar Jail at 3 pm on June 2.
"I might be betrayed even more this time but I won't bow down," the Chief Minister said.
मुझे परसों सरेंडर करना है। माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट का बहुत-बहुत शुक्रिया। https://t.co/1uaCMKWFhV
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 31, 2024
A Delhi court has sought the Enforcement Directorate's response on Kejriwal's bail plea in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam.
Kejriwal on Thursday moved the Rouse Avenue Court seeking a regular bail.
The next hearing will be held on June 1.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear Kejriwal's bail plea seeking an extension of the interim bail.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, was granted an interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 1, which marks the last date of polling in the Lok Sabha polls.
The Supreme Court registrar said Kejriwal was given permission to move the trial court for regular bail, hence rejected the plea for extension.
The central investigative agency asserts that he played a central role in the scam and was directly implicated in soliciting kickbacks from liquor barons.
The Supreme Court said that Kejriwal would not be permitted to carry out his official responsibilities due to "may have a cascading effect" even if he is granted interim bail while in jail.
In his first public comments after leaving jail, Kejriwal had thanked "all the judges of the top court".