Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: On July 2, the Delhi High Court demanded a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal is contesting his arrest over alleged corruption in the excise policy ‘scam’ and the trial court’s decision to remand him to CBI custody.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued a notice to the CBI, instructing them to reply within seven days. Kejriwal’s counsel may submit a rejoinder within two days following the CBI’s response. The next hearing is scheduled for July 17.
In addition to his arrest, the AAP leader has challenged the trial court’s orders from June 26 and June 29, which placed him in CBI custody for three days and judicial custody until July 12, respectively.
On June 26, a Delhi court ordered Kejriwal into CBI custody for three days, following his arrest by the agency in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. Special judge Amitabh Rawat cited investigation findings, Kejriwal’s purported involvement, and the need to confront him with evidence. However, the judge cautioned the agency against being “overzealous.”
On the same day, Kejriwal withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court, which challenged the interim stay imposed by the Delhi High Court on a trial court’s bail grant in a related money laundering case. Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, informed the top court of plans to issue a fresh challenge against the High Court’s final verdict, which stayed the bail order for not sufficiently appreciating the evidence presented by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Special judge Niyay Bindu, in the contested order, pointed out the ED’s failure to produce direct evidence linking Kejriwal to the crime’s proceeds.
