CBI arrests Arvind Kejriwal, bail plea withdrawn from Supreme Court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought five-day custody of the AAP leader in connection with the excise policy scam case.

Following the CBI’s arrest, Kejriwal withdrew his plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s order granting an interim stay on the trial court’s bail order in the alleged excise scam from the Supreme Court.

Delhi CM's arrest was made following an order from Special Judge Amitabh Rawat at Rouse Avenue, allowing the CBI to formalise its action in the alleged excise scam. The probe agency had interrogated Kejriwal inside Tihar Jail on Tuesday evening.

The CBI’s application for arrest came after Kejriwal was brought before the court from Tihar Central Jail on Wednesday.

During the court proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, stated that conducting the probe is the prerogative of the agency, and the law does not mandate that the accused should be informed. 

Opposing the CBI's demand, Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari said he was not informed about the CBI moving an application before the court and securing an order to question him. "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," Kejriwal's counsel said.

In the Supreme Court, a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, which allowed Kejriwal to withdraw his plea, was told by the AAP leader’s counsel senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi that since the high court has passed a detailed order on June 25, he would like to file a substantial appeal.