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

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Rouse Avenue court on Monday in connection with the excise policy scam case. The central agency filed the chargesheet before a special CBI court at Rouse Avenue on Monday, said CBI officials.

The Delhi High Court recently reserved its order on Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the CBI in connection with the excise policy case. The Court also reserved its decision on Kejriwal’s request for interim bail.

During the hearing, CBI lawyer DP Singh argued that Kejriwal's petitions incorrectly claimed that the material should not be re-appreciated at this stage of the investigation. Singh emphasized that the investigation, including evidence collection, is ongoing and distinct from the final report under Section 173 CrPC. He asserted that there is sufficient material to justify Kejriwal’s arrest and that the petitioner was confronted with this material during interrogation.

The CBI contended that the investigating agency has the sole authority to interrogate and arrest the accused, provided it adheres to legal requirements. The CBI deemed custodial interrogation necessary due to Kejriwal’s evasiveness during his interrogation on June 25, 2024. Section 41-A CrPC, read with Section 41-A (3), does not mandate a blanket ban on arrest if there is reasonable suspicion of a cognizable offence punishable with up to seven years of imprisonment.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the arrest was unnecessary and labeled it an "insurance arrest." Singhvi pointed out that Kejriwal had already received bail in a similar case from the trial court, which was later stayed by the Delhi High Court. Singhvi also noted that Kejriwal was summoned as a witness and had not been named in the initial FIR from August 17, 2022. He criticized the lack of notice and hearing before the arrest order was issued.

Singhvi compared Kejriwal's situation to that of Imran Khan, who was released and later arrested again in another case, questioning the fairness of such actions.

Kejriwal had approached the Delhi High Court, asserting that his arrest was a result of persecution and harassment for extraneous reasons. He sought regular bail, arguing that his position as the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi Chief Minister made his arrest unjust.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 related to the money laundering case in the liquor excise scam. Although he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the ED case, he remains in jail due to the CBI's arrest in the same case.

The Supreme Court, while granting interim bail, noted that there was no merit in the State's objection that Kejriwal’s continued judicial custody in the CBI case prevented him from seeking relief in other cases. The Court remarked that confining the fundamental right to one case would result in unnecessary multiplicity of applications.