India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the courtroom on Wednesday, in relation to the Excise policy case. The Vacation Judge of the Delhi Court permitted CBI to interrogate Kejriwal in the courtroom, facilitating his formal arrest. The court additionally requested the CBI to document the evidence supporting his arrest. Kejriwal was presented before Vacation Judge Amitabh Rawat, following a production warrant issued the previous day. During the proceedings, Kejriwal's wife Sunita, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and AAP leader Dilip Pandey were present. CBI's Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh strongly opposed arguments by Kejriwal's counsel, who also requested documents related to the interrogation orders. An AAP lawyer criticized the arrest on social media, accusing the Modi government of political vendetta. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court suspended Kejriwal's bail granted by the trial court, criticizing the trial court's handling of the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Text: Lara Palmer
26.06.2024
Arrest in Excise Policy Case Amid Court Proceedings and Political Controversy