The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a bail plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal related to the Excise Policy case. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 in connection with this case. Justice Neena Bansal’s bench has requested a response from the CBI and scheduled a detailed hearing for July 17.
Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party and the current Chief Minister of Delhi, claims he is being unfairly targeted and harassed. He is seeking regular bail from the High Court. He has also challenged his arrest and the remand orders issued by the trial court, which will be addressed on July 17.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vikram Chaudhari, and N Hariharan represented Kejriwal, while advocate DP Singh represented the CBI. The CBI argued that the first court for bail should have been the trial court and cautioned against setting a precedent if the High Court allowed the bail plea. Singhvi argued that Kejriwal is not a flight risk and has strong societal ties.
Kejriwal’s plea contends that his arrest violates the statutory mandates of Sections 41 and 60A of the CrPC, which require specific conditions for arrests with offenses carrying a maximum punishment of seven years. He asserts that these conditions were not met, making his arrest illegal.
The CBI maintains that Kejriwal did not cooperate during his interrogation and gave evasive responses to critical questions about the new Excise Policy of Delhi 2021-22. The CBI also alleges that Kejriwal could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence due to his influential position.
Kejriwal was arrested on June 26 after the Delhi Court allowed the CBI to interrogate him formally. The Delhi High Court recently stayed the trial court’s bail order for Kejriwal, stating that the trial court did not properly assess the conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before granting bail.