Delhi Court Extends Arvind Kejriwal’s Judicial Custody Till Aug 20 in Excise Policy Case

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday extended Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody until August 20. This extension is part of an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy.

Kejriwal, who is also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), appeared virtually before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. His custody was initially scheduled to end, but it has now been extended.

Kejriwal was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 after the Delhi High Court rejected his request for interim protection from arrest. He was subsequently taken into CBI custody on June 26 and entered judicial custody on June 29.

The CBI filed its fourth supplementary charge sheet on July 30, naming Kejriwal as a key conspirator in the scam. The charge sheet is awaiting the court’s consideration, with a hearing scheduled for August 12.

Despite being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on July 12 in the ED case, Kejriwal remains in Tihar Jail due to the CBI case. Earlier, he had been granted bail by a trial court in the ED case on June 20, but this was stayed by the Delhi High Court on June 25.

He had received interim bail from the Supreme Court on May 10 to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections, surrendering to Tihar Jail on June 2.

Kejriwal’s attempts to secure bail in the CBI case through the Delhi High Court were dismissed on August 5.