CBI 'formally' arrests Kejriwal, Delhi CM to file bail plea in Supreme Court

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged liquor policy case inside Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday (June 26).

The chief minister was arrested hours before a plea challenging the stay imposed by the High Court on the grant of regular bail for his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate was to be heard in the Supreme Court.

Special Public Prosecutor appearing for CBI, advocate DP Singh said, "I am seeking permission because he's in custody and investigation is my prerogative. I would like to seek formal custody of Arvind Kejriwal to interrogate and make a formal arrest."

The permission was sought after the court asked Kejriwal's lawyers where the proceedings would take place since he had not been formally arrested.

CBI had sought the permission of the court to interrogate Kejriwal in the adjoining room before arresting him formally. The court had allowed the agency to carry out the examination and place on record the material they had collected for his arrest.

CBI then informed the court that they had formally arrested Kejriwal and provided the court with all the required documents.

Advocate DP Singh said to the court, "There are certain dates...I got permission under PC Act on 23rd April 2024 and since elections were on and then he was on interim bail, we refrained from investigating him."

Supreme Court begins hearing Kejriwal's plea

Supreme Court started hearing Kejriwal's plea which challenged the June 21 order of the Delhi High Court which imposed interim stay on regular bail granted to him in the Delhi excise policy case. He is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Kejriwal, informed the court that the Delhi High Court ordered a stay on bail order and he wishes to withdraw the plea before the apex court against the interim order. He added that Kejriwal will filea fresh petition to challenge the June 25 order.

Supreme Court permitted Kejriwal to withdraw his plea challenging the June 21 order.

Watch:Delhi Trial Court gives bail to CM Arvind Kejriwal; HC pauses Kejriwal bail order

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) supremo was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case pertaining to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy.

He was released on bail for a brief period during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections and addressed several public gatherings while campaigning for AAP before going back to prison a couple of days before the counting of votes on June 4.

The Delhi government had implemented the policy on November 17, 2021. But it was scrapped at the end of September 2022. Corruption allegations have been levelled against the party, which AAP denies.

(With inputs from agencies)