Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday labeled Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the “sutradhaar” (facilitator) of the Delhi excise policy scam. Represented by special public prosecutor DP Singh, the CBI asserted before the Delhi High Court that Kejriwal was arrested only after substantial evidence emerged against him.
During the hearing of Kejriwal’s plea seeking regular bail, the Delhi High Court reserved its order. DP Singh stated that following Kejriwal’s arrest, additional evidence surfaced, with many individuals, including AAP workers, coming forward. He emphasized that the probe could not have been completed without taking the AAP chief into custody.
Singh claimed the CBI has evidence proving Kejriwal’s direct involvement in the scam, and warned that the CM could influence witnesses even after the chargesheet was filed.
Conversely, Kejriwal’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the agency has no direct evidence against the chief minister, noting that nothing incriminating was recovered from his home. Singhvi pointed out that Kejriwal was not solely responsible for the formulation or implementation of the excise policy, which was an institutional decision involving around 50 bureaucrats, including the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) and nine ministries.
Singhvi argued, “Today there is no direct evidence. No direct recovery. It’s (the case) based on hearsay,” and suggested that the CBI should also make the L-G an accused. However, Singh objected to this, stating that the L-G had no role in the matter.
The CBI filed a chargesheet against Kejriwal and others in the Rouse Avenue Court on the same day.
