Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sent to CBI Remand in Excise Policy Case
New Delhi, June 26, 2024: The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to a three-day CBI remand in connection with the Excise policy case. Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat made this decision after considering the arguments from both sides. Kejriwal will be in CBI custody until June 29, 2024.
During this period, the court has allowed Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to visit him for 30 minutes daily, and his lawyer can meet him for 30 minutes each day. Kejriwal is also permitted to have his prescribed medicines and home-cooked food.
In court, Kejriwal stated, “CBI is claiming that I have made a statement against Manish Sisodia, which is completely false. Manish Sisodia is innocent, Aam Aadmi Party is innocent. I am also innocent. These statements are being given in the media to defame us.” He added, “They are tarnishing our image in the media by using unnamed sources. Their plan is to make it headline news that Kejriwal has shifted all the blame to Manish Sisodia.” The court responded, “I have read your statement… you have not said this.”
CBI’s DP Singh argued that there were specific dates and permissions involved, and due to elections and interim bail, they refrained from investigating Kejriwal earlier. Singh also mentioned meetings and reports involving various individuals and the South Group related to the policy.
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari, representing Kejriwal, opposed the remand application, questioning the timing and validity of the arrest. He argued that the CBI had already filed four chargesheets and questioned the necessity of Kejriwal’s arrest for further identification.
On Tuesday, the CBI arrested Kejriwal after the court allowed them to examine him in the courtroom. The court also asked the CBI to present the material justifying his arrest. Kejriwal was produced before the court in compliance with a production warrant. His wife, Sunita Kejriwal, and AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Dilip Pandey were present during the hearing.
Kejriwal was previously arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case related to the Excise Policy on March 21 and is currently in judicial custody. The Delhi High Court recently stayed his bail order, stating that the trial court did not properly consider the conditions of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act before granting bail.
