Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by CBI in Excise Policy Case, SC Allows Fresh Plea Against Bail Stay

Kejriwal Arrested by CBI, Faces Legal Challenges

In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been formally arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the excise policy case. The arrest comes shortly before Kejriwal was set to appear before the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court's interim stay on his bail.

The CBI, which has been probing the alleged irregularities in Delhi 's now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy, presented Kejriwal before a Delhi court on Wednesday. The agency stated that it could have carried out the arrest before the Lok Sabha elections, but chose not to do so.

Supreme Court Allows Kejriwal to File Fresh Plea

Following the arrest, the Supreme Court has allowed Kejriwal to file a fresh plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order that put an interim stay on his bail in the money laundering case linked to the excise policy. The top court had earlier decided to wait for the High Court's order on Kejriwal 's bail before taking up his appeal.

The Supreme Court's decision to allow Kejriwal to file a fresh plea comes as a glimmer of hope for the embattled Delhi Chief Minister, who has been in custody since March 21, except for a brief period of interim bail granted by the apex court for election campaigning.

Allegations and Investigations

The case against Kejriwal stems from allegations of irregularities in Delhi 's now-scrapped excise policy of 2021-22, which the CBI began probing following a recommendation by Delhi 's lieutenant governor in July 2022. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also been investigating the matter, leading to Kejriwal 's arrest in a related money laundering case in March.

The CBI has alleged that there were irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy, which purportedly led to a loss of revenue for the Delhi government. The agency has also claimed that kickbacks were paid to various individuals and entities involved in the policy's execution.

AAP Alleges Conspiracy

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), of which Kejriwal is the national convenor, has alleged that the BJP-led Union government and the CBI are conspiring to register a "fake case" against the Delhi Chief Minister ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on his bail plea.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed that the Centre's actions are driven by the possibility that the Supreme Court might grant Kejriwal bail. "At a time when there is a cent per cent possibility that Arvind Kejriwal will get bail from the Supreme Court, sources have informed me that the Centre is conspiring to register a fake CBI case against the Delhi CM and get him arrested by the CBI," Singh said in a video shared by the party.

Ongoing Legal Battle

The legal battle surrounding Kejriwal 's case has been ongoing, with the Delhi High Court staying the trial court's order granting him regular bail in the money laundering case. The High Court observed that the trial court had not sufficiently appreciated the evidence submitted by the ED.

The Supreme Court's decision to allow Kejriwal to file a fresh plea against the bail stay is seen as a crucial development in the case. The apex court's ruling will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the Delhi Chief Minister's political future and the ongoing tussle between the AAP and the BJP-led central government.