दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय ने केजरीवाल की सीबीआई द्वारा उनकी गिरफ्तारी को चुनौती देने वाली याचिका पर फैसला सुरक्षित रख लिया

Delhi HC reserves judgment on Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by CBI

The Delhi High Court has reserved its judgment regarding the plea filed by Arvind Kejriwal, the incarcerated Chief Minister of Delhi, who is challenging his arrest and subsequent remand by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the excise policy case. In addition to this, the court has also held back its decision on Kejriwal's request for interim bail.

Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, asserted that Kejriwal should not leverage the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for 21 days, which was specifically intended for the Lok Sabha elections. Singh argued that the temporary bail order cannot be used as a precedent for this situation. He further pointed out that the trial court's order from June 20, which granted Kejriwal bail in a related money laundering case, had already been stayed by the Delhi High Court through a detailed 30-page order.

Singh emphasized that the CBI has the authority to arrest individuals based on mere suspicion if they believe there are probable reasons for the arrest. He justified Kejriwal's arrest, stating it was necessary for the investigation, as custodial interrogation had become essential. According to Singh, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) allows for arrests during an investigation, and Kejriwal's arrest was crucial as he might otherwise impede the probe.

Singh presented the argument that the CBI had gathered sufficient material to demonstrate that Kejriwal had the potential to influence and disrupt the investigation. He claimed that the CBI is in the final stages of completing its probe and has reasonable grounds to believe that Kejriwal could influence witnesses if released from custody.

The prosecution's stance also included that Kejriwal should first seek bail from the trial court, which is already engaged in arguments related to the charges. Singh suggested that the Delhi High Court should benefit from the trial court's reasoning on the matter before making its own decision on the bail plea. He indicated that the trial court was the appropriate forum for the initial bail application, and therefore, he would not present arguments on the bail before the High Court.

On the other hand, Kejriwal's counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, criticized the CBI's position as a tactic to delay the proceedings. Singhvi argued that the CBI had not provided any substantial reason to justify why the court should not consider Kejriwal's bail plea. Singhvi contended that the most recent significant evidence held by the CBI against Kejriwal dates back to January 2024, implying that there had been no new developments warranting the continued detention of the Delhi Chief Minister.

The high-profile case has drawn significant public and media attention, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Kejriwal and central investigative agencies. As the court reserves its judgment, the political ramifications and the implications for governance in Delhi remain a focal point of discussion.

The Delhi High Court's impending decision will be crucial not only for Kejriwal's immediate legal standing but also for the broader political landscape. The case underscores the complex interplay between legal proceedings and political strategies, particularly in the context of high-stakes electoral politics and governance challenges. As the legal arguments unfold, stakeholders and observers alike await the court's judgment, which will inevitably influence the future course of the excise policy case and the political trajectory of one of India's prominent political figures.

News Reference