On August 5, 2024, the Delhi High Court dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Excise Policy case. The court ruled that Kejriwal’s arrest was justified and denied his request for relief. However, it granted him the option to approach the trial court for further bail considerations. The case revolves around Kejriwal’s alleged involvement in an excise policy scam, with the CBI presenting evidence against him, while Kejriwal’s defense claims political persecution.
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- Date: On August 5, 2024, the Delhi High Court dismissed Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the CBI in the Excise Policy case.
- Court’s Ruling: The court found that Kejriwal’s arrest was justified and refused to grant relief on this plea.
- Bail Application: The court disposed of Kejriwal’s bail application, allowing him to approach the trial court for further relief.
- CBI’s Stance: The CBI opposed the bail plea, describing Kejriwal as the “sutradhar” (central figure) of the excise policy scam.
- Evidence Presented: The CBI claimed to have uncovered more evidence implicating Kejriwal, with Rs 44 crores traced to the case.
- Kejriwal’s Defense: Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the arrest was politically motivated and termed it an “insurance arrest.”
- Policy Background: Kejriwal’s defense highlighted that the excise policy was the result of extensive inter-ministerial deliberation and was published after a year.
- CBI’s Allegations: The CBI claimed that Kejriwal directly participated in the policy’s creation and signed it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Witness Testimonies: The CBI mentioned witness testimonies and 164 statements indicating Kejriwal’s involvement in the case.
- Next Steps: With the final chargesheet filed, the CBI is prepared for the trial to commence, while Kejriwal may seek further legal remedies.
