Delhi Excise Policy Case: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the CBI in the Delhi excise policy case, said on Wednesday that the claims made by the probe agency that he has given statements against Manish Sisodia are wrong and Sisodia is innocent.
While addressing the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court, Kejriwal said, “CBI is claiming that I have given statements against Manish Sisodia, this is wrong. Manish Sisodia is innocent, the Aam Aadmi Party is innocent and I am also innocent.” The Delhi Court reserved the order on CBI plea seeking custodial interrogation of AAP National Convenor Kejriwal.
According to news agency ANI, CBI sought five days custodial interrogation of Kejriwal.
Arvind Kejriwal addresses the court, he says “CBI is claiming that I have given statements against Manish Sisodia, this is wrong. Manish Sisodia is innocent, the Aam Aadmi Party is innocent and I am also innocent.”
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024
Earlier, the CBI had formally placed the AAP national convenor under arrest in the excise policy case. The probe agency arrested Kejriwal after he was produced in the Rouse Avenue Court before the bench of vacation judge Amitabh Rawat. The move made by the probe agency came after the Rouse Avenue Court allowed the Central agency to question him in the Delhi liquor policy case.
Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, said: “Kejriwal was in judicial custody. That’s why we did not arrest him till now.” The CBI lodged the case based on a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022.
Dismissing AAP’s allegations of Kejriwal being baselessly targetted, the CBI said: “The allegations are wrong. Aam Aadmi Party prepared the [excise] policy document and implemented the same. It is unfortunate that every time the investigation agency is accused, we are put to the test.”
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued: “The court should not allow Kejriwal’s arrest. There is no merit in this case… First, give us time to respond by giving us the notice on the CBI’s application. If Kejriwal’s arrest is ordered, then my Constitutional rights will be violated.”
However, the CBI argued that it should be allowed to take Kejriwal into custody and interrogate him. “Only after that will we be able to prepare the basis for Kejriwal’s arrest.”