• No relief for Arvind Kejriwal! Delhi HC Dismisses his Plea Challenging CBI Arrest in Excise Policy Case

    National
    No relief for Arvind Kejriwal! Delhi HC Dismisses his Plea Challenging CBI Arrest in Excise Policy Case
    The charge sheet, which names six individuals including Kejriwal, has seen only five individuals arrested so far. 

    Digital Desk: The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's challenge to his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Excise Policy case. The court concluded that Kejriwal's arrest was not unjustifiable. Regarding his bail application, the court has dismissed it, advising Kejriwal to seek further relief from the trial court.

    Earlier, Kejriwal's legal team urged the bench, led by Justices Neena Bansal Krishna, to expedite the proceedings on his petitions. The same bench had reserved its decision on Kejriwal's regular bail plea in the CBI case related to the Excise Policy on July 29, 2024. Additionally, on July 17, 2024, the court reserved its order on Kejriwal's challenge to his arrest by the CBI.

    During the hearing, the CBI opposed the bail plea, referring to Kejriwal as the "sutradhar" or central figure in the case. CBI's Special Counsel DP Singh informed the court that their investigation had uncovered additional evidence implicating Kejriwal.

    The charge sheet, which names six individuals including Kejriwal, has seen only five individuals arrested so far. The CBI completed its investigation and filed the charge sheet within a month, alleging that Kejriwal played a central role in the excise policy scam. Singh detailed that Kejriwal, as the head of the cabinet, signed and circulated the excise policy to his colleagues in a single day during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Further, Singh testified that IAS officer C. Aravind, under Manish Sisodia, reported that Vijay Nair brought a copy of the excise policy for computer entry while Kejriwal was present. This, according to the CBI, shows Kejriwal's direct involvement. Singh also stated that the CBI traced Rs 44 crore linked to the case sent to Goa and mentioned that Kejriwal had instructed his candidates to focus on elections rather than worrying about the funds.