Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Placed Under Arrest By CBI In Excise Policy Case

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the CBI in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The CBI sought his arrest after being allowed to question him by the Rouse Avenue Court.

Arvind Kejriwal ( Image Source :PTI )

The Central Bureau of Investigation has formally placed Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal under arrest in the excise policy case. The CBI arrested Arvind Kejriwal after he was produced in the Rouse Avenue Court before the bench of vacation judge Amitabh Rawat. The CBI move came after the Rouse Avenue Court allowed the Central agency to question him in the Delhi liquor policy case 

Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, said: "Kejriwal was in judicial custody. That's why we did not arrest him till now." The CBI lodged the case based on a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022. 

Dismissing AAP's allegations of Kejriwal being baselessly targetted, the CBI said: "The allegations are wrong. Aam Aadmi Party prepared the [excise] policy document and implemented the same. It is unfortunate that every time the investigation agency is accused, we are put to the test."

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued: "The court should not allow Kejriwal's arrest. There is no merit in this case... First, give us time to respond by giving us the notice on the CBI's application. If Kejriwal's arrest is ordered, then my Constitutional rights will be violated."

However, the CBI argued that it should be allowed to take Kejriwal into custody and interrogate him. "Only after that will we be able to prepare the basis for Kejriwal's arrest."

Judge Amitabh Rawat said that Kejriwal will be provided with copies of the CBI's plea seeking his custodial interrogation. He will also get the June 24 order that allowed the CBI to question him in Tihar jail.

Following the arrest by CBI, Kejriwal withdrew the plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order that stayed his bail in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. 

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