‘Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal not a threat in excise policy case,’ says lawyer Singhvi

The Supreme Court has commenced hearing important petitions from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenging the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the now-discontinued excise policy case. On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court extended his judicial custody until September 11. Kejriwal is now set to contest the High Court’s ruling, which supported his arrest by the CBI.

‘Delhi CM not a threat in excise policy case,’ says lawyer Singhvi

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer, A M Singhvi, told the Supreme Court, “He is not a threat in a PMLA case (excise policy case). Currently, there’s only the triple test… the next step is regular bail from the trial court under Section 45 of PMLA. This order was stayed by the High Court through an oral mentioning. Effectively, there are three orders at play.”

Delhi CM Kejriwal’s lawyer, A M Singhvi, argued in the Supreme Court that the CBI had filed an application before the Special Court seeking permission to examine and interrogate Kejriwal, which was granted. The agency allegedly presented a new statement in court that was recorded in January. Kejriwal was then interrogated in Tihar Jail, following which the CBI submitted an application for his arrest.

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CBI Files Fourth Supplementary Chargesheet, Names Kejriwal Among Accused

On July 30, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted its fourth supplementary chargesheet, accusing several individuals, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendar Jain, Amit Arora, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and P. Sarath Reddy, in the excise policy case.

Allegations Against Kejriwal and Connections with South Group

The CBI chargesheet claims that Kejriwal is a key conspirator in the case and had ties with the “South group,” which allegedly includes prominent figures such as K. Kavitha, Raghav Magunta, Arun Pillai, Butchibabu Gorantla, P. Sarath Reddy, Abhishek Boinpally, and Benoy Babu.

Arrest and Political Implications

The 55-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, following the Delhi High Court’s denial of his request for interim protection from arrest. This sudden arrest created a major stir in Delhi’s political scene and intensified the conflict between the AAP and the Union government.

CBI Custody and Current Status

Kejriwal was later arrested by the CBI on June 26 at the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court and was placed in judicial custody on June 29. Although the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the ED case on July 12, Kejriwal remains in Tihar Jail due to the CBI’s continued custody in the excise policy case.

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