New Delhi: The CBI is scheduled to bring Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to court today as his three-day custody period ends.
Kejriwal was apprehended by the central agency in connection with the liquor policy case on Wednesday and is expected to appear before the Rouse Avenue court at 7 pm.
The CBI had asked for five days of remand but was granted three, stating that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to confront him with evidence and documents in the case. It also alleged that Kejriwal had accused former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia of suggesting privatisation.
Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, opposed the CBI’s request for custody, describing it as an abuse of power, and sought access to documents. During the hearing, Kejriwal personally proclaimed his innocence and that of other AAP leaders, including his deputy Manish Sisodia. He accused the CBI of manipulating media headlines to falsely portray his involvement and denied blaming Sisodia.
Kejriwal is currently in Tihar jail in connection with his alleged involvement in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Delhi liquor policy case involves alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, such as modifications, undue favours to licensees, and the extension of L-1 licenses without prior approval. The CBI is probing corruption charges, while the ED is investigating the alleged money laundering aspect.
In July 2022, Delhi’s then Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s 2021-22 excise policy, citing “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” in an assessment report prepared by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. Following the Home Ministry’s directions for an inquiry into the matter, the CBI registered a case against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, 10 liquor licensees, and others in August 2022.
According to the CBI’s FIR, the named accused were instrumental in “recommending and taking decisions about excise policy for the year 2021-22 without the approval of the competent authority, to extend undue favours to the licensees post-tender”.
