New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest in an excise policy-linked corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy.
Kejriwal has moved apex court against Delhi High Court order
Kejriwal has moved the top court against the Delhi High Court verdict upholding his arrest by the CBI in the corruption case.
What did High Court say dismissing Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest in CBI case
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna dismissed Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the CBI in the excise policy-linked corruption case, saying that there was no malice in the acts of the CBI and also rejected his submissions that his arrest in the corruption case was an “insurance arrest” and he was arrested by the CBI because the central agency felt that he may come out in the money laundering case and therefore, the CBI arrested him.
The High Court said that the prosecution has explained that respecting his position as a Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi, the police treaded with trepidation and caution and proceeded to collect the evidence from other persons suspected to be the accused.
“Consequently, extensive investigations were carried out across India to ascertain the entire web of conspiracy involving numerous persons. The Investigating Agency has further explained that it is only after sufficient material was collected against the Petitioner over a period of one and a half years, that they sought the sanction for prosecution of the petitioner, which was granted on 23.04.2024. The reasons for not proceeding immediately against the petitioner, after registration of the FIR is thus, well explained by the CBI and does not reek of malice,” the High Court said.
The High Court further said that Kejriwal is not an ordinary person but he is the Chief Minister of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, which has its Government in Punjab.It further said that there were links of this crime even in Punjab but the material witnesses were not forthcoming for the simple reason of the influence exercised by the petitioner, by virtue of his position.
“It is only when he was arrested that the witnesses from the Punjab came forth to get their statements recorded and in fact, two of those witnesses, turned approver against the petitioner,” the High Court said while dismissing Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest in corruption case.
Apex Court granted Kejriwal interim bail in money laundering case
Kejriwal is currently lodged in the judicial custody in Tihar Jail in corruption case. He has also been arrested in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, in which he has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in the money laundering case on March 21 and he was later arrested by the CBI in the corruption case on June 26.