On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) referred to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the “sutradhaar,” or facilitator, in the ongoing Delhi excise policy case. The CBI’s special public prosecutor, DP Singh, made this claim before the Delhi High Court, emphasizing that the agency only arrested Kejriwal after accumulating substantial evidence against him.
The Delhi High Court is currently considering Kejriwal’s request for regular bail, and has reserved its decision. During the court proceedings, DP Singh argued that the arrest of Kejriwal was crucial for the investigation. He revealed that following Kejriwal’s arrest, the CBI obtained new evidence and witnessed a surge of individuals, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, coming forward with information. Singh maintained that the investigation would not have advanced as it did without Kejriwal’s detention.
The prosecutor further claimed that there is substantial evidence linking Kejriwal directly to the alleged scam. He raised concerns that even after the charge sheet was filed, there was a risk that Kejriwal could influence witnesses either directly or indirectly.
In response, Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, countered these assertions by stating that the CBI had not questioned Kejriwal extensively since his arrest, except during his police remand. Singhvi argued that there is no direct evidence or physical recovery related to Kejriwal from his residence. He stressed that the case appears to rely heavily on hearsay rather than concrete proof.
Singhvi also highlighted that the formulation and implementation of the excise policy involved a broad group of individuals, including around 50 bureaucrats, the Lieutenant Governor (L-G), and representatives from nine different ministries. He argued that Kejriwal was just one of many involved in the process, suggesting that if anyone should be held accountable, it should also include the L-G.
The CBI filed a chargesheet against Kejriwal and several others in the Rouse Avenue Court earlier today. The case continues to unfold, with the high court’s decision on Kejriwal’s bail request still pending.
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