Hazare to leave jail as government drops all conditions

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare is today set to leave Delhi's Tihar Jail, where he has been lodging in protest since his arrest on Tuesday, despite the police having ordered his release the same night.

In a late night breakthrough, Anna Hazare and his team agreed to 15-day fast at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. The administration removed its restrictions on the number of people who could attend, and even allowed the use of loudspeakers at the venue.

The administration also promised that the 15-day period could be extended later, if nothing untoward happens.

The social activist, who underwent a medical check-up at 10 am, was expected to reach the protest venue around 3 pm in an open jeep. However, Arvind Kejriwal, a core member of 'team Hazare' who also left jail this morning, said it may not be possible for Hazare to launch his protest from the Ramlila Ground today as the venue was full of muck and needs cleaning up.

Kejriwal confirmed that the 74-year-old follower of Mahatma Gandhi – who has been fasting in jail for the last two days – would leave the jail once the grounds at Ramlila Maidan are ready for his public fast. Calling this move just the beginning of their fight against corruption, Kejriwal added that the he along with his team would go to the venue to take stock of the preparations.

"I have just spoken to the commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (K S Mehra) who has promised me that a deputy commissioner would supervise the cleaning up operations at the Maidan," Kejriwal said.