CM Kejriwal Scheduled to Appear in Delhi Court Today
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently in custody over the alleged liquor policy scam, is scheduled to appear before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court today.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja issued a production warrant for Kejriwal and extended his judicial custody until today, following the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) submission of a supplementary charge sheet in the excise policy case.
The Supreme Court has yet to deliver its verdict on Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and seeking bail. On September 5, Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan reserved their decision after hearing arguments from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who appeared for the CBI.
Singhvi argued that the CBI’s arrest of Kejriwal, after a two-year period of not taking action, was a rushed move intended to prevent his release in the money laundering case. He contended that Kejriwal, as a constitutional officeholder, meets the criteria for bail, asserting that he poses no flight risk, will cooperate with the investigation, and cannot tamper with the extensive evidence.
Conversely, ASG Raju expressed concerns that releasing Kejriwal could lead to witnesses becoming “hostile” and urged the court to deny bail. He claimed that statements from AAP candidates in the Goa Assembly election emerged only after Kejriwal’s arrest and argued that bail should be decided by the trial court rather than the Delhi High Court.
Raju also pointed out that the arrest was conducted under a court order and dismissed claims of fundamental rights violations, stating that the arrest was legally sanctioned.
Kejriwal’s special leave petition before the Supreme Court challenges both his arrest and the subsequent remand orders, pressing for bail. The CBI contends that Kejriwal is using the case for political gain, despite the courts’ previous findings.
The Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal on July 12 in the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), but he remained in custody due to the CBI’s arrest.
