Arvind Kejriwal’s Judicial Custody Extended Till Sept 25

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until September 25 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Kejriwal appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court via video conferencing from Tihar Jail, following the expiration of his previous judicial custody term.

During a brief hearing, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the court that it would provide a soft copy of the charge sheet to the defense and a hard copy within the next 3-4 days. Last week, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court had issued a production warrant for Kejriwal for September 11, taking cognizance of the CBI's charge sheet.

In related developments, the CBI had previously filed a supplementary charge sheet against Kejriwal and other individuals involved in the alleged excise policy scam. 

The Supreme Court has yet to issue a verdict on Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and seeking bail. The court reserved its decision on September 5 after hearing arguments from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju.

Singhvi argued that Kejriwal, as a constitutional functionary, met the criteria for bail, emphasizing that he was not a flight risk, would cooperate with the investigation, and could not tamper with evidence after two years. Conversely, ASG Raju contended that Kejriwal's release could lead to witnesses becoming hostile and argued that the bail petition should have been first addressed by the trial court, not the Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court had previously granted interim bail to Kejriwal on July 12 in connection with a separate money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, Kejriwal's release was delayed due to his subsequent arrest by the CBI.