Today(on 12th July),The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has extended CM Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody until July 25 in the CBI excise policy scam case. Kejriwal’s bail plea will be heard by the Delhi High Court on July 17, potentially affecting his detention status.
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DELHI: Today(on 12th July), The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until July 25 in relation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case concerning the excise policy scam. Kejriwal’s judicial custody, initially set for a shorter duration, has been prolonged, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing investigation.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is slated to appear in court again on July 25. However, an important date before that is July 17, when the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear his bail plea in the CBI case, which could significantly impact the course of his detention.
Earlier on July 12, the Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Kejriwal in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stated-
“Arvind Kejriwal has endured 90 days of incarceration… We order his release on interim bail… We acknowledge he is an elected leader.”
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Despite this order from the Supreme Court, it appears that Kejriwal will remain in jail until he secures bail from the Delhi High Court. The legal proceedings are closely watched as they unfold, with implications for Kejriwal’s political career and governance in Delhi.
On June 29, Kejriwal was initially remanded to a 14-day judicial custody in the excise policy case. He was produced in court following an order that mandated his appearance on July 12. Prior to this, on June 26, the court had remanded Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days, directing that he be produced again by 7 PM on June 29. The court had also permitted Kejriwal’s lawyers and his wife to meet him once a day for an hour.
The CBI had requested a five-day custody of the Delhi CM on June 26, following his arrest on the same day in connection to the liquor policy case. This arrest and subsequent legal actions have kept Kejriwal in judicial custody amid ongoing investigations.
When presented in court after his arrest on June 26, Kejriwal accused the CBI of constructing a false narrative through media reports. He claimed that these reports falsely suggested that he blamed his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, for the excise policy.
Addressing the court, Kejriwal asserted that both he and his party colleagues, including Sisodia, were innocent. He emphasized that the excise policy was designed to increase revenue, reduce queues at liquor shops, and ensure equitable distribution.
Kejriwal clarified-
“He simply mentioned that privatisation was Sisodia’s idea.”
In response, the CBI refuted Kejriwal’s claims, stating that they had not shared any details with the media, thus dismissing the allegations of a media-driven false narrative.
