High Court Hearing On Kejriwal's Arrest By CBI In Liquor Policy Case

The Delhi High Court is set to hear today the petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the liquor policy case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna will preside over the hearing.

Last week, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in a related case filed by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Delhi High Court had reserved its decision on July 17 regarding Kejriwal's pleas challenging his CBI arrest in the excise policy case and seeking interim bail.

Kejriwal's senior counsel argued against his arrest by the CBI and requested his release on bail. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, who held the proceedings on a holiday due to Muharram, heard arguments from both Kejriwal's lawyers and the CBI before reserving her order.

The high court has scheduled further arguments on Kejriwal's regular bail plea for July 29.

During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor, described Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI as an "insurance arrest" intended to prevent his release from jail. Singhvi emphasized that Kejriwal, as the Chief Minister of Delhi, was entitled to bail and that his arrest did not comply with legal requirements.

CBI advocate D.P. Singh opposed Kejriwal's pleas and refuted the characterization of the arrest as an "insurance arrest."

Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 while in Tihar Jail, where he remains in judicial custody due to a related money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Initially arrested by the ED on March 21, Kejriwal was granted bail by the trial court on June 20, but this order was stayed by the high court. On July 12, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case.

The excise policy, which was scrapped in 2022, came under scrutiny after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution. According to the CBI and ED, modifications to the policy involved irregularities and undue favours to license holders