Arvind Kejriwal Arrested in Liquor Policy Case: Latest Updates
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the liquor policy case. The CBI presented Kejriwal in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, noting that while they could have taken this step before the Lok Sabha elections, they chose not to.
Examination and Legal Proceedings
On Tuesday, the CBI questioned Kejriwal in Tihar Jail, recording his statement regarding the excise policy case. Concurrently, Kejriwal withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court, which challenged the Delhi High Court’s interim stay on his bail order. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, informed a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti that Kejriwal plans to file a more substantial appeal, following a detailed order passed by the high court on June 25.
The Delhi High Court had stayed the trial court’s bail order for Kejriwal, emphasizing that the trial court should have ensured compliance with the twin conditions of section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before granting bail. The high court criticized the vacation judge for not thoroughly considering the essential documents provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Background of the Case
Kejriwal has been in custody since March 21, with a brief period of interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for election campaigning. The case revolves around alleged irregularities in Delhi’s now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy. The CBI began investigating these allegations following a recommendation from Delhi’s lieutenant governor in July 2022.
