Arvind Kejriwal’s Custody Extended Until September 3 in Delhi Excise Policy Case

The judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the custody of Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, has been extended up to September 3 continuing CBI probe into the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. Along with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, five others are accused in this case. The fourth supplementary charge sheet of the CBI is with the court, which has reserved the order to take cognizance up to September 3.

Kejriwal, the chief of Aam Aadmi Party, is in Tihar Jail, Delhi, ever since cases of abetment to corruption and money laundering have been pending over the excise policy. He has been charged with charges by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.

The CBI shared evidence in court that Kejriwal was heard promising Rs 90 lakh to each candidate for each of the 40 constituencies in the Goa polls. The plea of the agency on record formed part of arguments regarding the supplementary charge-sheet filed against Kejriwal and others. The CBI further sought a 14-day extension of judicial custody enjoyed by Kejriwal, submitting that there were contacts between another accused, Vinod Chauhan, and personal assistant of K Kavitha, who had once been released on bail by the Supreme Court in a related case of money laundering.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed a CBI plea for more time to file an affidavit and adjourned by 10 days the hearing on Kejriwal’s bail plea to September 5. Kejriwal, represented through advocate Kanhaiya Kumar Singhal, submitted that he has filed two petitions—one against the order of the lower court denying him bail and the other challenging his arrest by the CBI. The agency, in its affidavit, claimed all major decisions pertaining to the excise policy had been taken with the concurrence and knowledge of Kejriwal and his then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

The AAP has now formally termed the BJP behind the motivation of the CBI in keeping Kejriwal behind the bars, saying that some accusations were thrown on social media by Manish Sisodia that the CBI is procrastinating the trial and releasing information to the press for prejudicially affecting the people’s minds. The BJP reacted sharply by challenging AAP to take the issue to the Supreme Court without the CBI reacting to the accusations so far.