In a significant boost for the opposition alliance in the country, India's top court granted temporary bail to Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in a graft case, allowing him to campaign in the ongoing general elections.
The bail is extended until June 1, the final day of voting, following which Kejriwal is to return to pre-trial detention.
"Today, the Supreme Court has brought a ray of hope into the hearts of the people who love this country, the constitution, and democracy...this is a victory of truth," said Gopal Rai, Delhi's environment minister and a senior leader of Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Voting in India began on April 19, with elections for over half of the 543 parliamentary seats completed by the third phase on May 7. Kejriwal's AAP holds influence in New Delhi and Punjab, with elections scheduled there for May 25 and June 1, respectively. Vote counting is slated for June 4.
"This is the victory of democracy," said Kejriwal's wife, Sunita, following the court's decision. AAP members celebrated outside the party office, expressing support for Kejriwal and criticism towards prime minister Modi.
The court's consideration for granting temporary bail stemmed from an appeal against Kejriwal's arrest, recognising the significance of the ongoing elections.
"Opposition parties have accused prime minister Narendra Modi's government of using investigative agencies to target its rivals, which the government denies," stated a spokesperson for the opposition.
Kejriwal's arrest on March 21 by India's probe agency, Enforcement Directorate, in connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi's liquor policy, led to his pre-trial detention from April 1 onwards. His wife, Sunita, has been campaigning in his absence.
Members of the opposition INDIA alliance, including the AAP, expressed satisfaction at Kejriwal's bail.
Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal and a key INDIA bloc member, said she was 'very happy' Kejriwal got bail. "It will be very helpful in the context of the current elections," she posted on X.
Kejriwal's lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the timing of Kejriwal's arrest aimed to hinder his campaign against Modi, who polls suggest is positioned for a third consecutive term.
ED lawyers argued that granting bail to a politician solely for campaigning risked conveying the message that there were different standards for such figures compared with other citizens.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)