Arvind Kejriwal v. CBI Excise 'scam': Delhi High Court asks CBI to respond to Arvind Kejriwal 's bail plea in corruption case

Delhi High Court Seeks CBI 's Response on Kejriwal 's Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court on July 5 asked the CBI to respond to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal 's bail plea in the corruption case registered by the CBI in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued a notice to the CBI on the bail plea and listed it for further hearing on July 17.

CBI's Objection to Direct Approach to High Court

Advocate DP Singh, appearing for the CBI, raised objection over Kejriwal directly approaching the HC without first filing the bail plea before the trial court.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal , said the AAP leader is not a flight risk and not a terrorist, and the CBI arrested him after he got bail in the ED's money laundering case.

Kejriwal 's Arrest and Custody

Mr. Kejriwal , who was arrested by the ED on March 21, was granted bail by the trial court in the money laundering case on June 20. However, the trial court's order was stayed by the high court.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he is still lodged in judicial custody in a connected money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Excise Policy Irregularities

The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving the formulation and execution of the policy.

According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to the licence holders.

High Court's Observations

The high court bench noted CBI's contention that "petitioner ( Kejriwal ) has approached the HC without moving any application" for bail before the trial court. The bench said, "This contention shall be considered at the time of arguments".

The bench also orally remarked, "In how many matters has the Supreme Court said go to trial court on propriety? Law is clear, we have the concurrent jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has said don't clog the higher courts when the remedy is available to you. There must be some reason why you come to High Court directly."

The matter is listed for further hearing on July 17, along with Kejriwal 's plea challenging his arrest by the CBI.