Excise policy case: Arvind Kejriwal sent to 14-day judicial custody of CBI

NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Saturday ordered chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until July 12 in connection with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to irregularities in his government's excise policy.
The Vacation Judge Sunena Sharma sent Arvind Kejriwal to 14-day judicial custody following the CBI's request.
Kejriwal was produced in court after the expiry of his three-day custodial interrogation.
The CBI had arrested Kejriwal over alleged corruption linked to his government's excise policy.
This arrest follows Kejriwal’s previous detention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money-laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy. Though he was initially granted bail by a trial court, the decision was stayed by the Delhi high court.
Kejriwal did not cooperate during custodial interrogation: CBI
In its remand application, the CBI sought 14-day judicial custody for Kejriwal, alleging non-cooperation and evasive responses during his custodial interrogation in the excise policy-linked corruption case.
Advocate DP Singh, representing the CBI, argued that during Kejriwal's police custody remand, he was uncooperative and provided evasive responses contrary to the evidence.
According to the CBI, Kejriwal failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the increase in profit margins for wholesalers from 5% to 12% under the 2021-22 excise policy, which was implemented without any study or justification.
The agency said that Kejriwal could not justify why the revised excise policy was hurriedly approved by the cabinet during the peak of the second wave of Covid-19, particularly when individuals involved in the case were meeting with his close associate Vijay Nair in Delhi.
The remand application highlighted Kejriwal's inability to explain the meetings of his associate Vijay Nair with various stakeholders in the liquor business and his own meetings with accused persons Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Arjun Pandey, and Mootha Gautham.
Additionally, Kejriwal allegedly evaded questions about the transfer and use of Rs 44.54 crores during the Goa assembly elections by his party in 2021-22.
The CBI expressed concerns that, due to Kejriwal's influential position, he might influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.
The agency argued that crucial witnesses were yet to be examined and additional evidence, including documents and digital data, needed to be collected.
In light of these factors, the CBI has requested Kejriwal's judicial custody for 14 days to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and justice.