Delhi HC Reserves Judgment on Kejriwal’s Plea Challenging CBI Arrest

New Delhi,  July 17 2024 : The Delhi High Court has reserved its judgment on the plea filed by jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is challenging his arrest and remand by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise policy case. The court also reserved its decision on Kejriwal’s plea for interim bail.

Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, argued that Kejriwal should not benefit from the Supreme Court’s interim relief granted to him for 21 days, which was intended solely for the purpose of the Lok Sabha elections. Singh stated that the Aam Aadmi Party convenor could not rely on the trial court’s June 20 order granting him bail in the money laundering case, as the Delhi High Court had already stayed that order with a 30-page “reasoned” ruling.

The CBI counsel contended that the agency had sufficient grounds to arrest Kejriwal, emphasizing that the CrPC permits arrest for the purpose of investigation. Singh argued that Kejriwal’s arrest was necessary for custodial interrogation, as the CBI had “probable reasons” to believe he could influence and derail the investigation. Singh added that the CBI is in the final stages of its probe and fears that Kejriwal could influence witnesses if released.

Singh urged the court to direct Kejriwal to seek bail from the trial court first, stating that the trial court is already engaged in arguments on the charge and should hear the bail plea first.

Kejriwal’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, accused the CBI of employing delaying tactics and argued that the agency had not provided any valid reason for the court to avoid hearing the CM’s bail plea. Singhvi contended that the latest evidence the CBI has against Kejriwal dates back to January 2024, and no new evidence has been collected since then. He also questioned the validity of a new document dated June 13, which had not been previously introduced.

Singhvi argued that there was no new material to justify Kejriwal’s arrest, stating, “You did not produce it when you gave the 41A notice. Where is this? You cannot just say it orally across the court. Based on the entire material, there is NOTHING NEW to justify Kejriwal’s arrest.”