Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi HC against CBI arrest in excise policy case
PTC Web Desk: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal moved the Delhi High Court on Monday to challenge his arrest in the alleged corruption case involving the now-defunct excise policy, as well as the trial court's June 26 order remanding him to three days in CBI custody.
On June 29, the trial court sentenced Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until July 12, after his three-day Central Bureau of Investigation detention in the excise policy case. After being questioned by the central agency in Tihar Jail on June 25, the court sentenced Kejriwal to three days in CBI custody the following day.
On June 26, the CBI placed Kejriwal under "formal" arrest in the corruption case and brought him before Special Judge Amitabh Rawat on Rouse Avenue. The agency sought his custody for five days to confront him with the evidence in the current conspiracy case. While sending the Delhi chief minister to CBI custody, Judge Rawat stated that his arrest was not illegal and that the agency should not be "overzealous."
In its remand application to the trial court, the CBI claimed Kejriwal "did not cooperate" during the custodial interrogation.
“He also evaded the questions regarding the transfer and utilisation of ill-gotten money to the tune of Rs 44.54 crore for Goa state elections by his party during 2021-22,” the probe agency said. It added that Kejriwal was “deliberately and intentionally evading the just and relevant questions related to the case.”
The Delhi chief minister, according to the CBI, is a prominent politician and a "very influential person" who could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence in the case. The agency demanded 14 days in jail for Kejriwal, claiming it was necessary "in the interest of the investigation and justice."
When the case was heard on June 29, Special Judge Sunena Sharma of Rouse Avenue Courts granted the CBI plea. Judge Sharma said Kejriwal will appear in court on July 12.
- PTC NEWS
