Arvind Kejriwal’s CBI custody ends today, to be produced before Delhi court

Mangalore Today News Network / India Today

New Delhi, June 29, 2024: The CBI is set to produce Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in court today as his three-day custody comes to an end. Kejriwal, who was arrested by the central agency in connection with the liquor policy case on Wednesday, will appear before the Rouse Avenue court at 7 pm.

The CBI had sought five days of remand, but was granted three, after claiming that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to confront him with evidence and documents in the case. It also alleged that Kejriwal had implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, attributing the idea of privatisation to him.

The AAP chief’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, opposed the CBI’s plea for custody, describing it as an abuse of power and requesting access to documents.

During the hearing, Kejriwal personally addressed the court, asserting his innocence and that of other AAP leaders, including his deputy Manish Sisodia. He accused the CBI of manipulating media headlines to falsely portray his involvement and denied putting the blame on Sisodia.

Kejriwal is already in Tihar jail in connection with his alleged involvement in the money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

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

In July 2022, Delhi’s then Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had recommended a CBI probe into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s 2021-22 excise policy, alleging “deliberate and gross procedural lapses”, according to an assessment report prepared by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.

Following the Home Ministry’s directions for an inquiry into the matter, the CBI had in August 2022 registered a case against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, 10 liquor licensees, and unknown others.

According to the CBI’s FIR, the named accused were instrumental in “recommending and taking decisions pertaining to excise policy for the year 2021-22 without the approval of the competent authority, with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensees post tender”.