Excise policy case: Delhi HC upholds Kejriwal's arrest by CBI
The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and remand by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the excise policy case. In a significant setback for Kejriwal, a bench led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna stated that the arrest had "justifiable reasons." The court ruled that the CBI's actions could not be deemed illegal.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party's national convener, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case tied to the alleged excise policy scam. Although the Supreme Court granted him interim bail, he remains in jail due to a related arrest by the CBI last month. Kejriwal had contested his arrest in the corruption case registered by the CBI.
Kejriwal's bail plea disposed, trial court relief possible
Justice Krishna disposed of Kejriwal's bail plea, but allowed him the option to approach the trial court for relief. Kejriwal was represented by Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, N Hariharan, and Ramesh Gupta. The CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh in this case.
Insurance arrest: What defense counsel told court
Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the arrest was an "insurance arrest" following the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the ED case. He contended that the policy was not only signed by Kejriwal but also by then Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and other bureaucrats involved in the process.
CBI claims Kejriwal is mastermind of entire scam
SPP Singh countered Singhvi's argument, stating that Kejriwal is the "sutradhar" or mastermind of the "entire scam." He presented that there is direct evidence to show Kejriwal's involvement. Singh also noted that the trial court has already found that the arrest is not illegal and a mere filing of chargesheet by the CBI does not entitle Kejriwal to be released on bail.
Excise policy scrapped following corruption allegations
The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi L-G ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution. According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, with undue favours extended to licence holders. The CBI traced ₹44 crore related to the case to Goa.
