CBI Files Chargesheet Against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Others in Excise Policy Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others at Rouse Avenue Court on Monday, in connection with the excise policy case.

Recently, the Delhi High Court reserved its decision on Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the CBI in the same case. The Court also reserved its ruling on Kejriwal’s request for interim bail.

During the hearing, CBI lawyer DP Singh argued that Kejriwal’s petitions suggested that there was no need for re-evaluation of the evidence at this stage of the investigation. He explained that the investigation includes ongoing evidence collection, which is separate from the final report under Section 173 CrPC. Singh emphasized that there is sufficient material to justify Kejriwal’s arrest, and Kejriwal was confronted with this evidence during his examination.

The CBI also argued that it is within the investigating agency’s authority to interrogate and arrest suspects according to the law. They stated that Kejriwal’s evasive responses during his June 25, 2024, interrogation made custodial interrogation necessary to uncover the truth.

Section 41-A CrPC, read with Section 41-A (3), does not impose a blanket ban on arresting individuals against whom there is reasonable suspicion of committing a cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years. The law requires that the investigating officer must be satisfied of the necessity of arrest and record reasons for it, as explained by the CBI.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the arrest was unnecessary. “I have three release orders in my favor, which are under much stricter provisions. The Supreme Court recently granted bail indefinitely. My client also received a bail order in the ED case from the trial court, which was later stayed by the Delhi High Court. The CBI FIR dates back to August 17, 2022, and I was not named in it. In April, I was summoned under Section 160 CrPC as a witness,” Singhvi said.

He further submitted in Delhi HC that recently Imran Khan was released but was arrested again in another case. It can’t happen in our country.

Singhvi further submitted before the Delhi HC that the trial court allowed the CBI’s application regarding the issuance of production warrants despite the probe agency interrogating him on June 25 for almost 3 hours.

The Delhi Chief Minister had approached the Delhi High Court, stating that applicant Kejriwal is the National Convenor of a National Political Party (Aam Aadmi Party) and the sitting Chief Minister of Delhi, who is being subjected to gross persecution and harassment for wholly malafide and extraneous considerations, is knocking at the doors of this Court seeking regular bail in this case.

He has recently already approached challenging his wholly non-est and illegal arrest as well as patently routine remand orders passed by the Trial Court. The said writ petition had come up for hearing before this Court on July 2, when this Court issued notice and listed the matter for hearing on July 17.

(With ANI Inputs)

Also Read: Delhi’s IAS coaching centres: Probe Reveals Safety Violations, Arrests Made, and Protests Erupt