The Delhi High Court has dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Excise Policy case. The court stated that Kejriwal’s arrest could not be deemed without justifiable reason.

The High Court has disposed of Kejriwal’s bail application, allowing him to approach the trial court for further relief. This decision comes after the court reserved its order on July 29 on Kejriwal’s regular bail plea and on July 17 on his plea challenging the CBI arrest.

During the hearings, the CBI strongly opposed Kejriwal’s bail, describing him as the “sutradhar” (mastermind) of the case. CBI’s Special counsel DP Singh informed the court that their investigation had uncovered more evidence implicating Kejriwal as they progressed.

The CBI claimed to have traced Rs 44 crores related to the case, allegedly sent to Goa. They also presented witness testimonies, including three witnesses and 164 statements made in court, indicating Kejriwal’s involvement.

Kejriwal’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the case represents an “insurance arrest.” They pointed out that Kejriwal has been granted bail thrice in the ED case and emphasized that the policy in question was the result of nine inter-ministerial committees and a year of deliberation.

Delhi Chief Minister had approached the Delhi High Court stated that the applicant/Kejriwal 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, is knocking at the doors of this Court seeking regular bail in this case.

(Inputs from ANI)