Delhi HC Agrees To Hear Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Seeking Bail From CBI In Alleged Liquor Policy Scam Case

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking bail in the corruption case registered by the CBI in connection with the alleged excise policy scam on July 5.

The development came after the counsel for Kejriwal mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela which said it would be heard on Friday.

Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, appearing for Kejriwal, asserted that the applicant was taken into illegal custody without following the due procedure of law and he has filed a bail plea.

As the counsel insisted on fixing the plea for hearing on Thursday, Justice Manmohan said, “Let the learned judge go through the papers. We will have it day after.”

The Delhi CM, who remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail since his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26, is also facing charges in the same case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader had contested his arrest in the CBI case, with his plea currently pending before the high court.

Earlier, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in the money laundering case, and was granted bail by a trial court on June 20. However, the high court subsequently stayed the trial court’s order.

The excise policy under scrutiny was annulled in 2022 following an order from the Delhi lieutenant governor for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption surrounding its formulation and execution.

According to investigations by the CBI and ED, the excise policy modifications involved irregularities and allegations of undue benefits conferred upon license holders.

On Tuesday, Kejriwal’s lawyer informed the Delhi High Court that the Chief Minister intends to file an application for regular bail in connection with the corruption case linked to the alleged excise scam. In response, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued a notice to the CBI, directing them to submit their reply within seven days.

The court allowed Kejriwal’s counsel to file a rejoinder, if necessary, within two days following the CBI’s response. The case is scheduled for further arguments on July 17.

(With inputs from PTI)