New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the excise policy case and has also filed a bail plea.
The Delhi High Court had earlier dismissed his petition challenging the arrest and advised him to seek bail from the trial court.
Plea dismissed by High Court
While dismissing Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest, the HC stated that the prosecution has explained that, respecting his position as Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi, the police treaded with trepidation and caution and proceeded to collect the evidence from other persons suspected to be the accused. Consequently, extensive investigations were carried out across India to ascertain the entire web of conspiracy involving numerous persons.
In his plea to the Delhi HC, CM Kejriwal stated that he is the National Convenor of a National Political Party (Aam Aadmi Party) and the sitting Chief Minister of Delhi, who is being subjected to "gross persecution and harassment for wholly malafide and extraneous considerations."
Sufficient material against petitioner
The court noted that the Investigating Agency has further explained that it is only after sufficient material was collected against the petitioner over a period of one and a half years, that they sought the sanction for prosecution of the petitioner, which was granted on April 23, 2024. The reasons for not proceeding immediately against the petitioner after registration of the FIR are thus well explained by the CBI and do not reek of malice. (with Agency inputs)
