Delhi HC reserves order on Arvind Kejriwal bail plea

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise policy case. On July 17, the Delhi High Court reserved judgement on the case. Meanwhile, the Court reserved the order on Kejriwal’s interim bail. The Court scheduled July 29 for a regular bail plea hearing.

On June 26, the CBI arrested Kejriwal, who was already in Tihar Jail and accused him of irregularities in Delhi’s 2021-22 excise policy, which it said was designed to favour a certain group of liquor traders.

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The agency claimed that Kejriwal had not cooperated in providing answers while seeking his custody.

Addressing the court on June 26, Kejriwal stated that he and his party members, including his former deputy Manish Sisodia, were innocent.

The excise policy was intended to increase revenue, reduce lines at liquor shops and ensure equal distribution. He had stated that privatization was Sisodia’s idea, the CM added. Furthermore, Kejriwal claimed that the agency was fabricating a narrative in the media by blaming Sisodia for the now-scrapped excise policy.

The CBI denied the claim, saying it had not shared any information with the media.