Excise Policy Case: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Contests His Arrest At Supreme Court

AAP supremo & Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved a petition in the Supreme Court, under which, he challenges his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise policy case and has also submitted a bail application.

Representing Kejriwal, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Chander Uday Singh also sought an urgent listing of the petition before the Chief Justice-led bench. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed them to email the request so he could review it and arrange a hearing for the case.

Also Read: Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal’s Custody Extended Through August 20

Meanwhile, in his plea, Kejriwal had called his arrest by the CBI ‘ illegal’ and requested that it be annulled.

Earlier on August 5, the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest and advised him to seek bail from the trial court. In its ruling, the court noted that the police, out of respect for his position as Chief Minister of Delhi, had acted cautiously by first collecting evidence from other suspected individuals. Extensive investigations were conducted across India to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy involving many people.

Must Read: Delhi HC Dismisses Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea Against CBI Arrest In Excise Policy Case

The court also acknowledged that the Investigating Agency had gathered significant evidence against Kejriwal over a period of one and a half years before seeking sanction for his prosecution, granted on April 23, 2024. The CBI’s delay in proceeding against him after the FIR registration was considered well-explained and not indicative of malice.

What Happened With Arvind Kejriwal?

For context, on June 26, Kejriwal was taken into CBI custody while already detained at Tihar Jail in connection with a related money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Initially arrested by the ED on March 21, Kejriwal was granted bail by the trial court on June 20, but the high court later stayed this order. On July 12, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the money laundering case.