Delhi HC Seeks CBI's Reply In Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Challenging Arrest In Excise Policy Case; Lists For Hearing On July 17

The Delhi High Court on July 2 has sought the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) response in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the agency in the corruption case related to the excise policy scam.

During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Kejriwal and contended that clearly, on the face of it, there is no reason for the CBI to arrest Kejriwal in June 2024. "For the following reasons, CBI FIR is August 2022. He (Kejriwal) is then summoned in April 2023, six months after that, and questions for nine hours...from April 2023 till now, nothing is done. No summoning, no questioning, nothing," Singhvi submitted.

Singhvi argued, "Therefore, on a 2022 FIR, in which he was summoned in April 2023, he is now arrested on June 23, 2024. There cannot be a necessity or urgency for arrest." Terming the Arrest Memo as "remarkable", he further contended that it should reflect some basis that Kejriwal is a terrorist, is at a flight risk, will interfere with evidence or will not cooperate. Singhvi argued that all that cannot even arise in this case as he has already under arrest and in judicial custody for the last 3-4 months.

Senior Advocates N. Hariharan and Vikram Chaudhari also appeared for Kejriwal.

Taking note of the submission, the Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice to the CBI in Kejriwal's plea challenging arrest and subsequent remand.

The Court asked Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D.P. Singh appearing for the CBI as to how much time he would require to file response in the plea.

Singh requested for three weeks time.

The Court directed the CBI to respond to the plea in 7 days and scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 17.

Pertinently, Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 23 from Tihar Jail, where he was already in judicial custody till July 3 in a PMLA case related to an excise policy scam. Initially, the AAP National convenor was remanded 3-day CBI remand by a Trial Court order dated June 26. Thereafter, Kejriwal has been sent to 14-day judicial custody, i.e. till July 12.

Cause Title: Arvind Kejriwal v. Central Bureau of Investigation [W.P. (CRL)-1939/2024, CRL.M.A. 18890/2024 & CRL.M.A. 18891/2024]