Liquor Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal sent to CBI custody

CBI maintained that the investigation was the agency's prerogative and did not require informing the accused beforehand, saying, "The law does not say that I have to tell them when I want to go and investigate him."

Mayank Kasyap Last Updated : 26 June 2024, 07:45 PM IST

Courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with the liquor policy case. This followed the Rouse Avenue Court’s permission to the agency to examine the AAP leader in court. Kejriwal has been remanded in CBI custody for three days and is scheduled to appear before the court on June 29 at 7 pm.

Arvind Kejriwal withdraws petition Supreme Court

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In light of his arrest, Kejriwal withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court that challenged the Delhi High Court's order staying his bail in the money laundering case associated with the liquor policy scam.

Initially booked by ED in Liquor Policy scam

Kejriwal was initially arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 for alleged involvement in money laundering linked to the liquor policy scam. He is currently held in Tihar Jail.

Court proceedings and arguments

During the trial court hearing, the CBI argued that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to confront him with specific documents. The agency claimed Kejriwal had implicated former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia, asserting it was Sisodia’s idea to privatize the liquor policy.

The CBI also suggested that Vijay Nair, former communications in-charge of AAP and an accused in the case, operated under Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj's directions. "The Chief Minister didn't take any ministry but has his hand in everything," the CBI lawyer stated.

Kejriwal's lawyer says matter of grave concern

Opposing the CBI’s demand, Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhari, argued that he was not informed about the CBI’s application to the court for questioning Kejriwal. "The manner in which this has been done is of grave concern. Please allow us access to the documents and defer this hearing to tomorrow... Heavens will not fall if we file a reply," Chaudhari contended.

Kejriwal's lawyer further argued that no notice under Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was issued for Kejriwal to appear for questioning. "If My lords allow them to arrest him (Kejriwal), my lords will be allowing their shoulders to be used as a gun to shoot him. If My lords give them the permission to arrest, my lords will effectively be sanctifying the remand," he said.

CBI’s argument

Senior advocate DP Singh, representing the CBI, maintained that the investigation was the agency's prerogative and did not require informing the accused beforehand. "The law does not say that I have to tell them when I want to go and investigate him. The same thing happened in the case of K Kavitha. I only need the court's permission," Singh explained.

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Liquor Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal sent to CBI custody

CBI maintained that the investigation was the agency's prerogative and did not require informing the accused beforehand, saying, "The law does not say that I have to tell them when I want to go and investigate him."