Turbulent hours for Arvind Kejriwal amid legal battles and liquor policy scandal

In a dramatic series of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a rapid shift from expecting bail to being re-arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under charges related to an alleged liquor policy scam. This significant legal pivot occurred within hours, capturing national attention and adding complexity to an already contentious case.

Addressing the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi directly, Kejriwal contested the claims that he attempted to shift blame onto his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, concerning the liquor policy scam. “A false narrative is being spread by CBI sources in the media—that I put the blame of the liquor policy scam on Sisodiaji. I did not make any such statement blaming him or any other person,” Kejriwal asserted. He emphasized his, Sisodia’s, and their party’s innocence, accusing the CBI of maligning them through the media.

Initially arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, Kejriwal was implicated in orchestrating the sale of liquor licenses to allegedly fund election campaigns in Punjab and Goa, a charge he has vehemently denied. The situation escalated when the CBI claimed in court that Kejriwal had tried to pin the policy decision to privatize liquor stores in Delhi on Sisodia. However, the court noted that evidence, including that presented by the prosecution, did not suggest such statements were made by Kejriwal.

Responding to arguments from Kejriwal’s legal team, the CBI articulated that it could have acted against the Delhi Chief Minister at any point, even during elections, but chose to proceed only with the court’s permission. This statement came as Kejriwal’s lawyers criticized the agency for its timing, pointing out the lack of action since the last interrogation in August.

Compounding Kejriwal’s legal challenges, his plea in the Supreme Court, which challenged a High Court’s decision to stay his bail, became moot following his re-arrest by the CBI. The top court noted the unusual nature of the High Court’s directive but decided to await the lower court’s final order. Subsequently, the High Court upheld its interim stay on bail, leading to further setbacks for Kejriwal.

This case illustrates the intricate dance between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary within India’s legal framework, especially in politically sensitive cases. The back-and-forth between arrests, court appeals, and bail hearings underscores the complex legal mechanisms at play, often influenced by broader political dynamics.