New Delhi: Former Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain was granted bail on Friday by a Delhi court in connection with a money laundering case. The relief was provided after the court considered the significant delay in the trial and Jain's prolonged incarceration of 18 months.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court granted Jain bail on a bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties of the same amount. The judge noted that the trial was yet to begin and that it would take a long time to conclude, making the former minister’s case suited for bail. Jain had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May 2022, following a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR that accused him of corruption through four companies allegedly linked to him.

The AAP leader had been suffering from various health issues during his time in jail, including significant weight loss, spinal injuries, sleep apnea, and depression, for which he was granted medical bail between May 2023 and March 2024. Jain has consistently denied the charges, maintaining his innocence.

AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to X (formerly Twitter), criticizing the central government’s actions. "What was his fault? His only crime was building mohalla clinics and offering free healthcare for Delhiites. He was jailed for shutting these clinics down," Kejriwal tweeted, accusing the central government of targeting Jain for political reasons.

Manish Sisodia, former deputy chief minister of Delhi, also expressed relief over the court's decision, stating, "Satyamev Jayate (Truth alone triumphs). The dictatorship tried to break us with false allegations, but the judiciary stood by truth."

Jain's release marks the latest victory for AAP, as all of its senior leaders who faced corruption charges are now out on bail. Last month, the Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal in a separate CBI case related to the alleged liquor scam, while Sisodia was granted bail in August after spending 17 months in jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Earlier, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and communications head Vijay Nair also received bail in the liquor policy case.

Despite these legal battles, AAP is preparing for upcoming elections in Delhi early next year. Jain’s release is seen as a significant boost for the party, which has faced recent political challenges, including a poor electoral performance in Haryana. Upon his release from Tihar Jail at around 8:15 pm, Jain was greeted by AAP leaders Atishi, Sisodia, and Singh.

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan remains in jail, facing charges related to alleged recruitment irregularities during his tenure as head of Delhi’s Waqf Board.