Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of making an ‘insurance arrest in haste’ to preempt his potential release on bail related to the alleged excise policy scam.
This accusation came during his appearance before the Supreme Court on Thursday.
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Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that his client had previously been granted bail on three occasions in the related money laundering case under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Singhvi highlighted Kejriwal’s interim release in May for Lok Sabha election campaigning, a bail order from the Supreme Court on 12 July, and a subsequent trial court bail, which later stayed by the Delhi High Court after an oral mention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Singhvi criticized the CBI for not arresting Kejriwal for two years from August 2022 but choosing to arrest him now, accusing the agency of a preemptive move to prevent his release.
He pointed out that the CBI’s arrest of Kejriwal was due to alleged non-cooperation and evasive responses, but argued that cooperation does not necessitate self-incrimination.
Singhvi also emphasized that Kejriwal, holding the constitutional office of Delhi Chief Minister, met the criteria for bail: he is not a flight risk, will cooperate with the investigation, and cannot tamper with extensive documentary and digital evidence accumulated over two years.
In response, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the CBI, countered that Kejriwal should first seek bail from the trial court.
He contended that arrest is a normal part of an investigation and that the CBI had court authorization for the arrest.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, will reconvene after lunch to continue hearings on Kejriwal’s challenge to the CBI arrest and his bail petition.
Additionally, a Delhi court has taken cognizance of the CBI’s charge sheet against Kejriwal and other accused in the liquor policy case.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja has issued a production warrant for Kejriwal, extending his custody until 11 September.
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