Excise policy case: Kejriwal didn’t cooperate during probe, says CBI; court sends him to judicial custody till July 12

The Chief Minister, the CBI also stated, is a prominent politician and a “very influential person” and he could influence the witnesses or tamper the evidence in the case. The agency sought 14 days jail for Kejriwal, saying it was required “in the interest of the investigation and justice”.

Special Judge Sunena Sharma allowed the CBI plea. Kejriwal will be produced in the court on July 12, she said.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal was sent to CBI custody for three days, a day after he was questioned by the central agency in Tihar Jail in the corruption case linked to the excise policy.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy. He suffered a setback on Tuesday when the Delhi High Court stayed a trial court order granting him bail in the case filed by the ED.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal withdrew his plea in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision to reserve its verdict on the ED plea for staying the trial court’s bail order.

Kejriwal’s arrest in the CBI case means that even if the Supreme Court intervenes in the bail case for money laundering, his release from jail will require a separate bail order in the corruption case.

The Chief Minister said “events are overtaking” him rapidly with the CBI reviving a 2022 interrogation to arrest him shortly after the High Court ruling. He is likely to move a fresh plea before the Supreme Court now.