The Delhi High Court dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the excise policy case. The court’s decision is a huge setback for Kejriwal, who was hopeful of getting released from Tihar prison.
Hearing the case, Delhi High Court Justice Neena Bansal Krishna dismissed the plea observing the Aam Aadmi Party leader’s arrest by the central agency was not without any justifiable reason or illegal, Live Law reported. The Court also dismissed his bail plea and directed him to approach the trial court.
The CBI arrested Kejriwal from Tihar prison on June 26 in a prevention of corruption case registered in connection with the alleged scam in now scrapped Delhi liquor policy. According to CBI, Kejriwal is the ‘Sutradhar’ of the scam. According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to licence holders.
The Supreme Court recently granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged scam. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21.
The AAP said they will approach the Supreme Court against the High Court’s order. Besides Kejriwal, AAP leader Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K. Kavitha are also facing charges in the case.
