Kejriwal moves Supreme Court to quash CBI arrest, grant bail
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court, challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case related to an alleged liquor policy scam. The special leave petition filed before the apex court contests the Delhi High Court's August 5 decision to dismiss Kejriwal's plea against his CBI arrest and subsequent remand.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal's arrest is linked to allegations of irregularities in Delhi's now-abolished excise policy of 2021-22. Both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claim that this policy was manipulated, resulting in undue benefits being accorded to certain license holders. Kejriwal has been in custody since March 21 following his arrest by the ED, except for a 21-day interim bail in May granted by the apex court for Lok Sabha election campaigning.
Kejriwal's counsel argues arrest was 'sham'
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, sought an urgent listing of the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud. The CJI instructed Singhvi to send an email to the registry for further examination. Kejriwal's counsel contended that his arrest was a "sham," asserting that there was no evidence to warrant his detention. They argued that the arrest was orchestrated to ensure Kejriwal's continued incarceration.
Delhi HC upholds Kejriwal's arrest
The Delhi High Court, in its recent ruling, upheld Kejriwal's arrest, stating that it was not without justifiable reasons or illegal. The court is yet to deliver its verdict on a bail plea filed by Kejriwal in relation to the CBI case. The ED had previously filed its prosecution complaint in a money laundering case, naming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Kejriwal as accused.
Kejriwal disputes high court's findings in petition
In his petition before the Supreme Court, Kejriwal disputed the findings recorded in the HC judgment. He contended that his arrest and remand orders issued by a Delhi court were illegal and passed in grave contravention of previous Supreme Court judgments. The plea further stated that there was nothing on record to demonstrate how, why, and under what circumstances the CBI's perception changed from April 16, 2023, when Kejriwal was summoned as a witness, to his arrest in June 2024.
