Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sent to CBI Remand in Excise Policy Case
New Delhi, June 26: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to three days of CBI remand by the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. The Delhi High Court had earlier stayed his bail order, stating that the trial court should have recorded its satisfaction with the conditions of the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act before granting bail.
On Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally arrested Kejriwal from the courtroom. Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat allowed the CBI remand until June 29, permitting Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal to meet him for 30 minutes daily and his lawyer for 30 minutes each day. The court also allowed him to carry prescribed medicines and have home-cooked food during the remand period.
Kejriwal was previously lodged at Tihar Jail after his arrest in the liquor policy case on March 21. He was released on interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections until June 1, 2024.
Reacting to the arrest, Sunita Kejriwal criticized the government, calling it a form of dictatorship. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also condemned the arrest, stating that the ruling BJP’s actions would not break Kejriwal.
Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva suggested that AAP leaders should question the Congress party, as the case was initially lodged by them. He also stated that Delhi residents were not surprised by the arrest, given the corruption allegations against Kejriwal.
During the hearing, Kejriwal denied making any statements against his colleague Manish Sisodia, claiming that the CBI was trying to defame him and his party. The court acknowledged that Kejriwal had not made such statements.
Kejriwal withdrew his plea challenging the High Court’s interim stay on his bail and plans to file a fresh petition. The CBI has been asked to present the material justifying his arrest.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, announced plans to challenge the High Court’s final order. Kejriwal was produced before the court on Wednesday, with his wife and AAP leaders present. The CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor, DP Singh, opposed Kejriwal’s submissions, and the court recorded his statement related to the Excise Policy case.