Judicial Custody of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Extended in Excise Policy Case

Judicial Custody of Delhi CM : The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until September 3 in the CBI case concerning the 2021-22 Delhi liquor excise policy, which is no longer in effect.

The court has also reserved its decision on the fourth supplementary chargesheet filed by the CBI, which includes Kejriwal and five others as accused. The case will be heard again on September 3.

Kejriwal's Legal Troubles and Allegations

Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is currently being held in Delhi's Tihar Jail. He faces corruption and money laundering charges linked to the alleged excise policy scam, which is being investigated by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On Friday, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing on Kejriwal's bail plea in the excise policy case to September 5, after the CBI requested more time to submit its affidavit.

CBI's Accusations Against Kejriwal

Kejriwal has filed two petitions—one challenging the denial of bail and another contesting his arrest by the CBI. In its affidavit, the CBI claimed that all key decisions regarding the now-canceled excise policy were made under Kejriwal's direction, in collaboration with the then-deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Political Reactions

The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the CBI of conspiring to keep Kejriwal in jail. Manish Sisodia, in a post on social media platform X, accused the CBI of deliberately delaying the court process while leaking information to the media to sway public opinion. He stated, "The CBI is acting like a puppet on BJP's instructions to keep Arvind Kejriwal in jail."

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In response, the BJP challenged AAP to take the matter to the Supreme Court if they believe the CBI is being "untruthful and biased." The CBI has yet to respond to these allegations.