Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Court Sends CM Arvind Kejriwal To CBI's Judicial Custody Until July 12

The CBI had sought the judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the conclusion of his three-day custodial interrogation. 

A Delhi court on Saturday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Central Investigation Bureau's (CBI) judicial custody until July 12 in connection with the excise policy case. The CBI had sought the judicial custody of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo after the conclusion of his three-day custodial interrogation. 

Reacting to the development, party leader Sanjay Singh, "Arvind Kejriwal was first kept in police custody and today he has been taken into judicial custody in a false case. The court’s order is not out as of now."

"We heard CBI’s arguments and they repeated the same imaginary stories which have no relation to the truth. Such stories do not stand in court. I.N.D.I.A bloc will hold protests and demonstrations in Rajya Sabha on Monday," he told reporters. 

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in relation to the liquor policy case, appeared before the Rouse Avenue court. The CBI had initially obtained a three-day remand, arguing that Kajriwal's custody was "necessary" to confront him with evidence and documents. The agency also alleged that Kejriwal implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, attributing the privatisation idea to him. 

During the hearing, Kejriwal maintained his innocence and defended other Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including his former deputy Sisodia. He accused the CBI of manipulating media reports to falsely implicate him and denied shifting blame onto Sisodia.

Kejriwal is currently in Tihar jail in connection with a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

The excise policy case involves alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 policy, including modifications, undue favours to licenses, and the extension of L-1 licenses without proper approval. The CBI is investigating corruption charges, while the ED is probing the money laundering aspect. 

In July 2022, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into the AAP government's 2021-22 excise policy, citing "deliberate and gross procedural lapses" based on a report by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. 

Following the Home Ministry's directive, the CBI registered a case in August 2022 against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, 10 liquor licensees, and others. According to the CBI's FIR, the accused were involved in recommending and making decisions on the excise policy without the competent authority's approval, intending to extend undue favours to the licensees post tender.