Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi HC challenging arrest by CBI in Excise Policy case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging his recent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and contesting the trial court’s decision to grant custody to the central agency. The arrest relates to a corruption case involving the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22, which has since been revoked.

Kejriwal, who was previously in judicial custody due to a separate money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was arrested by the CBI on June 26. Despite being granted bail by the trial court in the ED case on June 20, the Delhi High Court issued an interim stay on the bail order the next day following an urgent plea by the ED. This stay was subsequently confirmed on June 25.

Following the High Court’s decision, Kejriwal was taken into CBI custody until June 29. On that day, he was transferred to judicial custody until July 12, as the CBI did not seek an extension of his custody.

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The initial arrest by the ED on March 21, 2024, accused Kejriwal of conspiring to create loopholes in the liquor policy to benefit specific liquor vendors. The ED alleges that kickbacks from these activities were used by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to finance its electoral campaigns in Goa.

Both the CBI and ED cases against Kejriwal were initiated following a complaint filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. (With inputs from PTI)