Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to appear in court today as his three-day custody comes to an end. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with the liquor policy case and will appear before the Rouse Avenue court at 7 pm.
The CBI had requested five days of remand but was granted three, arguing that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to confront him with evidence and documents. The agency also claimed that Kejriwal had implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, attributing the privatization idea to him.
Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, opposed the CBI’s plea for custody, calling it an abuse of power and requesting access to documents.
During the hearing, Kejriwal addressed the court, asserting his innocence and that of other AAP leaders, including Sisodia. He accused the CBI of manipulating media headlines to falsely portray his involvement and denied blaming Sisodia.
Kejriwal is currently in Tihar jail in connection with an alleged money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Delhi liquor policy case involves alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, including modifications, undue favours to licensees, and the extension of L-1 licenses without prior approval. The CBI is probing corruption charges, while the ED is investigating the alleged money laundering aspect.
In July 2022, Delhi’s then Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the AAP government’s 2021-22 excise policy, citing “deliberate and gross procedural lapses,” according to a report by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.
Following the Home Ministry’s directions for an inquiry, the CBI registered a case in August 2022 against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, ten liquor licensees, and others.
The CBI’s FIR states that the accused were involved in recommending and making decisions about the 2021-22 excise policy without the approval of the competent authority, intending to extend undue favours to the licensees post-tender.