On October 18, 2024, senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain walked out of Tihar Jail after securing bail in a money laundering case. Jain, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2022, faced allegations related to the misuse of funds and unaccounted assets. Despite the charges, Jain and his supporters have consistently labeled the arrest as a politically motivated attack against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leadership.
After his release, Jain addressed a large crowd of supporters outside the jail, asserting that the arrest was a deliberate attempt by political rivals to tarnish AAP’s image and halt its reformative initiatives. He claimed that the ruling government intended to prevent common citizens from participating in politics. “They fear that if people like us enter politics, it will disrupt their corrupt operations,” Jain declared. He also expressed his determination to continue working alongside AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh, all of whom have faced legal challenges.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who welcomed Jain outside Tihar, hailed his release as a victory for truth, stating, “Satya ki vijay hui hai” (Truth has prevailed). AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, celebrated Jain’s return, emphasizing the party’s commitment to its welfare initiatives like the Mohalla Clinics and the Yamuna river cleaning project, which they claim were hindered by the legal challenges faced by their leaders.
Jain’s release marks a critical moment for AAP, as it prepares for upcoming political challenges. The party continues to assert its mission of fighting corruption while expanding its welfare agenda, despite the ongoing legal battles against its key figures.(input from agencies)
