In a significant development, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until July 12 in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi liquor excise policy of 2021-22. The court’s decision came on Wednesday following a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had arrested Kejriwal on June 26.
The court also addressed an application filed by Kejriwal seeking the presence of his wife during medical consultations conducted by a special board from AIIMS, as ordered by the court on April 22. The decision on this matter is scheduled to be pronounced on July 6.
Earlier today, Kejriwal’s legal team approached the Delhi High Court regarding the CBI’s case against him. Rajat Bharadwaj, representing Kejriwal, highlighted procedural concerns, alleging that the Chief Minister was detained unlawfully without adhering to Section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
“We have filed a bail application. The applicant was taken into illegal custody without complying with Section 41,” Bharadwaj stated during the proceedings before the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. Responding to the plea, the court agreed to list the matter for Friday, indicating its willingness to address the legal intricacies surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest.
Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been detained at Tihar Jail since his arrest by the CBI. This detention follows earlier legal actions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had arrested Kejriwal on charges of money laundering on March 21. While the trial court had granted him bail in the money laundering case on June 20, the Delhi High Court subsequently stayed this order.
The developments surrounding Arvind Kejriwal continue to draw attention as legal proceedings unfold, marking a critical juncture in the intersection of politics and judiciary in the capital city.
Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent figure in Indian politics, has been a vocal advocate for clean governance and reforms. His tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi has been marked by various initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and governance transparency. The Aam Aadmi Party, under his leadership, has garnered significant support for its anti-corruption stance and welfare policies.
Sources By Agencies
