In response to the CBI's request, Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari expressed concern over not being informed about the CBI's application to question him in court.
Digital Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI in connection with the liquor policy case on Wednesday, following approval from the Rouse Avenue Court for the agency to question him in court. After his arrest, Kejriwal withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend his bail in the money laundering case. He had been arrested earlier by the ED on March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam and is currently held in Tihar Jail.
During the trial court proceedings, the CBI argued that Kejriwal's custody was necessary to confront him with documents. The agency also asserted that Kejriwal had attributed the privatization idea to former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia. Additionally, the CBI claimed that Kejriwal had stated that Vijay Nair, former AAP communication-in-charge and a co-accused, operated under Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj.
"The Chief Minister didn't hold any ministry but was involved in every aspect," stated the CBI lawyer.
In response to the CBI's request, Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari expressed concern over not being informed about the CBI's application to question him in court.
"The process followed raises serious concerns. Please grant us access to the documents and adjourn the hearing till tomorrow... It wouldn't cause harm to wait for our response," Kejriwal's counsel argued.
The CBI recorded Kejriwal's statement in jail on June 25 and sought his appearance before the trial court on Wednesday. Senior advocate DP Singh, representing the CBI, emphasized that conducting investigations fell within the agency's authority, and the law did not mandate informing the accused beforehand.
"The law does not require me to inform them when I wish to conduct investigations. This was also the case with K Kavitha. I only need the court's permission," the CBI contended.
Kejriwal's lawyer countered that no Section 41 notice under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) had been issued for his client to appear for questioning.
"If Your Lordships permit his arrest, it would be akin to giving them a weapon to use against him. Allowing his arrest would effectively endorse his remand," the lawyer cautioned.
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