Unprecedented:??Kejriwal gets bail to campaign | ??? NSA accused files nomination from jail | ?EC writes to Congress for 'baseless claims'

Market Watch

• At the close, Sensex was up by 260.30 points and closed at 72,664.47 while the Nifty 50 was up 97.70 points and closed at 22,055.20.
• Sectorally, Metal, FMCG, Auto, and Pharma sectors gained, while IT, Realty, and PSU bank sectors experienced losses.

SC grants interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to campaign

The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in th

e excise policy case, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle.

• Kejriwal's interim bail will allow him to avoid judicial custody until June 1, to enable him to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The intrigue:?

Yes, but: Kejriwal is not allowed to discharge any official duties as Chief Minister and Kejriwal cannot comment on the Liquor scam.

• The court also observed that this will not be used as a precedent for other cases, making an exception. Today, the Supreme Court disposed of the petition of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking interim bail to campaign for Lok Sabha elections.

What ED argued: ED had opposed the move to grant interim bail to Kejriwal saying that “any special concession” to him will “amount to anathema to the rule of law and equality, thereby creating two separate classes in the country viz. ordinary people, who are bound by the rule of law as well as the laws of the country, and politicians who can seek exemption from the laws”.

• “The right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right and not even a legal right,”

AAP's reply:?Kejriwal's counsel contested the ED's stance, accusing them of political bias, lack of transparency, and abuse of power, highlighting the timing of Kejriwal's arrest after the announcement of the General Elections.

Note: Kejriwal was summoned for the first time in the case in November 2023 and skipped nine summons in total before his arrest.

The big picture: Kejriwal might receive 21-day relief but his troubles are far from over as the ED is preparing to file a supplementary chargesheet naming him as the accused and making Aam Admi Party, an accused in the case.

Clip du jour

Running for office... quite literally. BJP candidate from Deoria, Shashank Mani Tripathi races against the clock to file his nomination.

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NSA accused Amritpal Singh files his nomination from jail

Amidst legal and logistical challenges, Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh has been facilitated by the Punjab government to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 from jail.

Amritpal Singh, head of 'Waris Punjab De', is currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Assam's Dibrugarh jail. He will contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from the Sri Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab scheduled for June 1.

Smooth sailing process: Singh had filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court anticipating opposition from the government but?the government had already complied with the requests made in the petition for his election participation.

• The Punjab government has completed the documentation process, allowing him to file his nomination without being released on temporary parole.
• Nomination papers were filled and signed by Singh on May 9, and the Superintendent of Central Jail Dibrugarh will administer the oath as per legal provisions.

Why this is concerning: Amritpal Singh was arrested by Punjab police in Moga district in April 2023 after a month-long pursuit. He faces charges under the National Security Act (NSA), including an attempt to murder, abduction, and other offences such as rash or negligent driving and disobedience to the order of a public servant.

• He was the leader of an outfit called Waris Punjab De and styled himself after surrounding himself with armed supporters. He claimed to be a disciple of Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and was accused of propagating separatist ideology in his speeches.
• The last straw was when he stormed the Ajnala police station with his supporters and forced the police to withdraw a case against one of his aides who was accused of kidnapping. Amritpal and his supporters laid siege on the police station for over 6 hours.

EC writes to Congress for 'baseless claims'

In a significant clash during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India has strongly rebutted accusations by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, labelling them as 'unfounded and disruptive'.

• The Election Commission described Mallikarjun Kharge's allegations regarding voter turnout data as a “deliberate attempt to spread confusion” and reflective of a biased narrative. Read the complete text here.

Why this matters:

What caused it? Kharge wrote to INDIA bloc leaders about the delay in releasing voter turnout data and the non-publication of the final voters' list, raising concerns over potential manipulation of election results.

• Kharge's communication with INDIA bloc leaders included urging them to protect democracy and the Constitution while expressing suspicions about the ruling party's conduct.

ICYMI

• ??Brij Bhushan has been charged with sexual harassment by a Delhi court.
• ??BCCI to invite applications for the Indian men's cricket team head coach position, Jay Shah says, Rahul Dravid is 'eligible' for tenure extension.
• ??Kantilal Bhuria pledges Rs. 2 lakh for men with two wives under the Mahalaxmi scheme if Congress comes to power.
• ??NASA explores the possibility of a lunar rail system, fluid-based telescope, and Mars transit system.
• ??After Covishield's side-effects threat, the Awaken India Movement calls for a comprehensive review of all COVID-19 vaccines in India amid safety concerns.
• ??Congressman Chip Roy voices concerns over illegal immigration, says ‘Sharia could be imposed in US.’