The Delhi High Court reserved its judgment on jailed Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and remand by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the excise policy case. The court also reserved its order regarding Kejriwal’s request for interim bail.
Special public prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, argued that Kejriwal could not leverage the apex court’s interim bail, granted for 21 days, to his advantage, as it was intended solely for the Lok Sabha elections.
The CBI counsel stated in court that the Aam Aadmi Party convenor cannot utilize the trial court’s June 20 order granting him bail in the money laundering case, as the Delhi High Court has stayed this order through a detailed 30-page ruling.
The CBI lawyer stated that the agency has the authority to arrest an individual even on “mere suspicion,” asserting that they had “probable reasons” at the time of arresting the Chief Minister. “The CrPC permits arrest for the purpose of investigation. Kejriwal’s arrest was necessary because his custodial interrogation had become essential,” Singh argued.
He claimed that the CBI had “sufficient material” to demonstrate that Kejriwal had the capacity to influence and derail the investigation. Singh added that the CBI is in the final stages of completing the probe and has a “reasonable apprehension” that the Chief Minister could influence witnesses if released.
Kejriwal’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, described the CBI’s position as a “delaying tactic,” arguing that the agency had not provided any justification for why the court should not consider the Chief Minister’s bail plea. Singhvi noted that the most recent significant evidence the CBI has against the AAP leader dates back to January 2024.
