In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in response to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his recent arrest and subsequent remand by the investigative agency in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The High Court bench, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, directed the CBI to file a detailed reply within seven days and scheduled the matter for further arguments on July 17.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Arvind Kejriwal, vehemently argued against the necessity of the Chief Minister’s arrest, emphasizing that it was unwarranted under the provisions outlined in Sections 41 and 60A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Singhvi pointed out that Kejriwal was already in judicial custody pertaining to a separate money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), thus positing that any concerns of tampering with evidence or flight risk were unfounded.
Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeks immediate release from custody and requests the quashing of all CBI proceedings against him. The Chief Minister’s arrest by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he was under judicial custody, has sparked a legal battle challenging the investigative agency’s actions. Initially remanded to CBI custody until June 29, Kejriwal was subsequently placed under judicial custody until July 12 after the CBI opted not to seek an extension of his custody.
Furthermore, Kejriwal has contested the orders issued by the trial court on June 26 and June 29, which granted CBI custody and subsequent judicial custody, respectively. His legal team argues that these orders are in violation of legal statutes and fundamental rights.
The ongoing legal saga has drawn considerable attention, underscoring the intersection of politics and judicial process. Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), continues to challenge the charges against him, asserting his innocence in the matter. The outcome of this legal battle is poised to have ramifications not only for Kejriwal personally but also for the broader political landscape in Delhi.
The next hearing on July 17 is anticipated to delve deeper into the merits of Kejriwal’s plea and the legality of his arrest and subsequent custody by the CBI. As the case progresses, it remains a focal point in the ongoing discourse surrounding governance, law, and justice in the national capital.
The developments in this case will be closely monitored as stakeholders await the High Court’s decision on the matter.
