(Image source from: x.com/AamAadmiParty)

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's application seeking his arrest by the Central Investigation Agency in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The matter was heard by a bench headed by Justice Nina Bansal Krishna. The court issued a notice to the CBI and sought a reply within seven days. The Supreme Court said that Kejriwal's lawyers, if any, can file a retrial application within two days thereafter. Kejriwal on Monday challenged his arrest by the CBI in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam in the Delhi High Court. The national leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also challenged the court's June 26 order to remand him for three days by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On June 29, Mr. Kejriwal was remanded in custody until July 12 in the corruption case, but a court said he had been named as one of the main conspirators and said further interrogation at the detention center was required.

Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI from Tihar Jail on June 26 and was remanded in judicial custody till July 3 as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering case. The CBI had alleged in the trial that the AAP chief did not cooperate in the investigation and deliberately gave evasive answers. Federal officials had also raised concerns that Mr. Kejriwal could influence witnesses. Although Mr. Kejriwal remained in CBI custody for three days on June 26, the trial court refused to declare his arrest illegal as his lawyers had demanded, saying, "Time might be wise." A clear benchmark for the declaration of an arrest. The trial court said: "While the investigation is the responsibility of the investigating authorities, the law provides certain safeguards and at this stage it does not appear from the record that the arrest was unlawful." Mr Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and 20 by the ED arrested in June was granted bail by the court in the money laundering case. However, the court order was stayed by the Supreme Court in 2022 after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of irregularities and corruption and canceled its implementation. According to the CBI and ED report, there were irregularities in the change in excise policy and the License holders were given undue advantages.