CBI formally arrests Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal was formally arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26 in connection with the excise policy case. He was produced before Special Judge Amitabh Rawat by Tihar jail authorities, where the CBI sought custody for interrogation.

The court granted permission for Kejriwal's formal arrest by the CBI.

Simultaneously, Kejriwal withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court's interim stay on the trial court's bail order. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, informed a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti about this decision, citing the need to file a substantial appeal against the high court's June 25 order.

Singhvi noted ongoing developments and highlighted Kejriwal's recent arrest by the CBI, stating, "We would like to file a substantial appeal to present all relevant details and contest the stay on the bail order."

Kejriwal, previously arrested in March as part of the excise policy scam, had obtained interim bail from the Supreme Court in May to campaign for the 18th Lok Sabha elections. After concluding his campaign activities, he returned to judicial custody on June 2 and has remained incarcerated since.

The excise policy came under scrutiny in 2022 following orders from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, leading to CBI and Enforcement Directorate investigations into alleged irregularities and corruption during its formulation and implementation.