The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy scam case.
The arrest was made following an order from Special Judge Amitabh Rawat at Rouse Avenue, allowing the CBI to formalise its action in the alleged excise scam.
The probe agency had interrogated Kejriwal inside Tihar Jail on Tuesday evening.
The CBI’s application for arrest came after Kejriwal was brought before the court from Tihar Central Jail on Wednesday.
During the court proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, stated that conducting the probe is the prerogative of the agency, and the law does not mandate that the accused should be informed, Bar and Bench reported.
“I am seeking permission because he is in custody and investigation is my prerogative. I would like to seek formal custody of Arvind Kejriwal to interrogate and make a formal arrest,” Singh stated.
“The law does not say that I have to tell them when I want to go and investigate him. The same thing happened in the case of K Kavitha. I only need court’s permission. I am seeking permission because he is in my lord’s custody. To investigate or not is my prerogative,” he added.
Singh further mentioned that the Delhi CM does not have the right to advance notice.
“Let’s start the process. I may be allowed to take him and then I will finalise arrest right now. They do not have the right to advance notice. Today, whatever I will be moving after his arrest, they will have all the applications,” he said.
Kejriwal Withdraws Bail Plea From Supreme Court
Following the CBI’s arrest, Kejriwal withdrew his plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s order granting an interim stay on the trial court’s bail order in the alleged excise scam from the Supreme Court.
A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, which allowed Kejriwal to withdraw his plea, was told by the AAP leader’s counsel senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi that since the high court has passed a detailed order on June 25, he would like to file a substantial appeal.
Singhvi informed the bench that new developments were taking place every day and Kejriwal has now been arrested by the CBI.
“We would like to file a substantial appeal to bring on record all relevant details and challenge the June 25 order of the high court in which bail order was finally stayed,” Singhvi said.
The AAP leader has been in judicial custody since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 21.
He was briefly out on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court on May 10 to campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His interim bail expired on June 1, after which he was required to return to Tihar on June 2.
The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption surrounding its formulation and execution.
According to the ED and the CBI, irregularities happened during the policy modification, with undue favors granted to license holders.
(With inputs from agencies)
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