Delhi HC issues notice to CBI on CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest in excise policy case

Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice regarding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) remand of three days in the alleged liquor policy scam corruption case.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna sought a response from the probe agency and scheduled the matter for a hearing on July 17. Kejriwal has also sought his immediate release in the case.

Kejriwal’s plea argues that despite the offence being punishable by seven years, the Investigating Officer did not adhere to the requirements of Sections 41A and 60A of the CrPC, making his arrest non-compliant with the mandated legal requirements.

Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and N Hariharan, along with Advocate Vivek Jain, represented Kejriwal. Special Counsel DP Singh appeared for the CBI.

Singhvi contended that there was no urgency or necessity for Kejriwal‘s arrest, as he was arrested in connection with a CBI FIR registered in August 2022, where he was questioned only once in April of the previous year and had cooperated fully. He also argued that the CBI’s arrest memo did not meet the legal conditions.

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

Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody concerning the corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged scam. On June 26, vacation judge Amitabh Rawat remanded Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days, noting that the arrest could not be deemed illegal at this stage. However, the judge cautioned the CBI against being overzealous.

Subsequently, on June 29, vacation judge Sunena Sharma remanded Kejriwal to judicial custody as the CBI did not request further remand. Last week, the probe agency examined Kejriwal in Tihar jail in relation to the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), during which his statement was recorded.

The Delhi High Court had earlier stayed the bail granted to Kejriwal in the PMLA case. Following the court’s permission, the CBI examined Kejriwal in court on June 26 before formally arresting him. Kejriwal was initially arrested by the ED on March 21. In May, he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court until June 1 due to the general elections but surrendered on June 2. (With inputs from PTI)