Delhi HC to hear Kejriwal’s bail plea in corruption case; extends custody till July 12

New Delhi: A court here on Wednesday extended till July 12 the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Kejriwal appeared before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja through video conference.

The Delhi High Court announced it would hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking bail in the corruption case registered by the CBI related to the alleged excise policy scam on July 5. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who scheduled it for Friday.

Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, representing Kejriwal, emphasized that the applicant was taken into custody unlawfully and filed a bail plea. Insisting on an earlier hearing date, the counsel was directed by Justice Manmohan to allow time for review of the case files, scheduling the hearing for the day after.

Kejriwal, currently in judicial custody at Tihar Jail following his arrest by the CBI on June 26, also faces charges in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His challenge against the CBI's arrest is pending before the high court, which has issued notice and set arguments for July 17.

The excise policy, under scrutiny since its cancellation in 2022 on orders from the Delhi lieutenant governor prompting a CBI investigation, allegedly involved irregularities and favoritism towards license holders, according to the CBI and ED.

These developments underscore Kejriwal's ongoing legal challenges amidst the backdrop of the excise policy scandal and subsequent judicial proceedings.