Today(on 3rd July), The Delhi High Court announced that it would hear Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in the CBI’s excise policy scam case on July 5, following an urgent request by his counsel.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 3rd July), The Delhi High Court announced that it would hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking bail in the corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged excise policy scam on July 5. This announcement follows an urgent listing request by Kejriwal’s counsel before a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
Urgent Listing for Bail Plea
The counsel for Kejriwal, Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, mentioned the matter for urgent listing. The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela acknowledged the urgency and scheduled the hearing for Friday. Advocate Bhardwaj argued that Kejriwal was taken into custody illegally, stating-
“The applicant was unlawfully detained without adhering to legal procedures, prompting him to file a bail plea.”
He emphasized the necessity of an immediate hearing, which prompted Justice Manmohan to respond-
“Let the learned judge review the documents. We will proceed the day after.”
Kejriwal’s Arrest and Judicial Custody
Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the CBI on June 26. At the time of his arrest, he was already lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody related to a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The arrest in the CBI case has been challenged by Kejriwal, and the plea remains pending before the Delhi High Court.
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The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a notice and directed the CBI to file its reply to Kejriwal’s challenge against his arrest. The court has listed the matter for arguments on July 17. This development is critical for Kejriwal as he seeks relief from the allegations and judicial actions that have placed him in custody.
The alleged excise policy scam involves purported irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government’s excise policy. The CBI has accused several individuals, including Kejriwal, of corruption and mishandling of the policy, leading to financial losses. The investigation has garnered significant attention, with political ramifications for the Aam Aadmi Party and its leadership.
Arvind Kejriwal, who faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, has been granted bail. The trial court released its decision on June 20, providing temporary relief to Kejriwal in the contentious money laundering case. However, the relief was short-lived as the trial court’s order was promptly stayed by the high court.
The controversy centers around the excise policy that was abruptly terminated in 2022. The policy’s cancellation came after the Delhi lieutenant governor mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into what was described as widespread irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution.
The allegations, investigated by both the CBI and ED, suggest that modifications made to the excise policy were improperly handled. According to the agencies, these changes resulted in “irregularities” and “undue favours extended to the licence holders.” This case has sparked significant debate and scrutiny, reflecting the ongoing challenges in managing excise policies and regulatory practices.
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