CBI Defends Arrest of Delhi CM Kejriwal in Supreme Court Over Excise Policy Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) defended its arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Supreme Court, citing his evasiveness and lack of cooperation in the excise policy scam probe. The CBI alleged that Kejriwal was heavily involved in the criminal conspiracy behind the now-scrapped policy alongside former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday justified the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asserting that his detention was necessary due to his evasive and non-cooperative answers concerning his involvement in the excise policy scam.

The CBI, in a detailed affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, claimed that Kejriwal orchestrated pivotal decisions related to the now-abandoned excise policy with the help of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The federal agency argued that Kejriwal was attempting to politically sensationalize the case, and his arrest was crucial to prevent him from derailing the investigation.

The affidavit, noted by a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, stated that Kejriwal's influential position allowed him to command decisions within the Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party, raising concerns about potential witness tampering. The CBI pointed out that Kejriwal's medical condition could be treated within jail facilities, negating his request for bail on medical grounds.

(With inputs from agencies.)