New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail just before 7 pm on Friday, concluding his approximately 50-day detention in connection with a money-laundering case tied to the defunct Delhi excise policy. Dressed in an olive t-shirt, Kejriwal was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from his supporters as he emerged from gate number 4, where arrangements had initially been set for gate number 3.

Upon his release, Kejriwal, charged with emotion, shouted slogans including ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’, and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. He expressed his resolve against what he described as dictatorship, asserting, “I am fighting against dictatorship with all my might, but 140 crore people (of the country) will have to come together to fight against it.” He reiterated his plans to visit the Hanuman temple at Connaught Place at 11 am on Saturday and hold a press conference at the AAP office at 1 pm.

Expressing his gratitude, Kejriwal said, "I am feeling great to be with you. I had told you that I would come out soon… First of all, I want to pay obeisance to Lord Hanuman. I am among you because of the blessings of Lord Hanuman.” He also thanked the multitude of supporters and the Supreme Court, crediting them for his release.

Kejriwal's release was facilitated by the Supreme Court, which granted him interim bail earlier that day in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The court order was processed by jail authorities after arriving around 2 pm, enabling his release after the completion of formalities.

As per the conditions of his bail, Kejriwal is barred from visiting the CM office or the Secretariat and from performing any chief ministerial duties until he returns to jail on June 2.

Following his release, Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita, daughter Harshita, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, left Tihar in his convoy, igniting celebrations among AAP supporters. They distributed sweets, danced to dhol beats, and chanted slogans, celebrating Kejriwal’s freedom.