In a significant development, a special CBI court has denied relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, sending him to CBI custody for three days. This decision comes amid a series of legal maneuvers and allegations surrounding the case.
The court, while addressing the matter, stated that based on the available evidence, it could not conclude at this stage that the arrest was illegal. However, it cautioned the probe agency against being overly aggressive in its approach.
Earlier, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal had secured bail from the Rouse Avenue court, but the Delhi High Court intervened, putting a halt to the bail and eventually denying it. Despite his efforts to seek relief from the Supreme Court, no immediate reprieve was granted.
Responding to the developments, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, expressed dismay over what she perceives as a concerted effort to keep her husband in custody. She criticized the timing and sequence of events leading up to his arrest, alleging political motives behind the legal actions.
The court order mandates that Mr. Arvind Kejriwal may meet his wife for an hour daily and receive prescribed medical care during his custody. His legal counsel argued against the necessity of his arrest at this juncture, questioning the timing and context surrounding the case.
In defense, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal recounted his previous interactions with the CBI regarding the now-defunct liquor policy, emphasizing its intended goals of revenue generation, crowd control, and equitable distribution of liquor outlets across the city.
Meanwhile, the CBI has dismissed the AAP leader’s allegations as unnecessary, asserting that investigative procedures were conducted in accordance with legal protocols and permissions granted by the court. They clarified that notifications about the start of investigations are not mandatory before seeking custody.
The case, which has been ongoing since August 2022, underscores the complex legal battle between Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and the state machinery, highlighting broader issues of governance and legal scrutiny.
