New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its decision regarding the plea submitted by jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which challenges his arrest and detention by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the excise policy case. Moreover, the high court reserved its ruling on Kejriwals request for interim bail.Special public prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), argued in court that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could not use the interim relief granted by the Supreme Court for 21 days, which was intended solely for the purpose of the Lok Sabha elections.The CBI counsel contended that Kejriwal, who is also the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), cannot rely on the trial courts June 20 order that granted him bail in the money laundering case. Singh pointed out that the Delhi High Court had stayed this order with a detailed 30-page reasoned judgment.Arrest justifiedThe prosecutor claimed that the CBI had sufficient material to demonstrate that Kejriwal could potentially influence and derail the investigation. Singh also noted that the investigation was in its final stages and expressed concern that Kejriwal if released, might influence the witnesses.Kejriwal should first approach the trial court for bail, Singh argued. The bench should consider the reasons provided by the trial court. That court is already hearing arguments on the charges, and it should decide on the bail first. I will not argue on the bail.Kejriwals defenseOn the other side, Kejriwals lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, described the CBIs position as a delaying tactic. Singhvi argued that the CBI had not provided any valid reason for the court to delay hearing Kejriwals bail plea.Singhvi pointed out that the latest piece of evidence the CBI had against Kejriwal was from January 2024. He argued that the probe agency had not collected any new evidence since then and questioned the relevance of a new document dated June 13 that the CBI had introduced, which had not been used in earlier proceedings.You did not produce this document when you issued the 41A notice. Where is this coming from You cannot just make oral claims in court. Based on the entire material, there is nothing new to justify Kejriwals arrest, Singhvi contended.
