Entire System Working to Deny Kejriwal Bail, CM's Wife Expresses Pain Over CBI Custody

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the CBI in connection with the liquor scam case. His wife, Sunita Kejriwal, has reacted strongly, calling his arrest an act of dictatorship. She stated that the entire system is working to ensure that Kejriwal does not get out of jail. "This is not law; this is dictatorship and an emergency," she said.

AAP's Reaction

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed that when Kejriwal was likely to receive bail from the Supreme Court in the money laundering case, the BJP panicked and had him arrested by the CBI on false charges. The CBI officially arrested Kejriwal on Wednesday in the alleged liquor scam and sought five days of custody for him.

Sunita Kejriwal's Statement

Sunita Kejriwal posted on social media platform X, expressing that her husband had been granted bail in the money laundering case related to the excise policy on June 20, but the Enforcement Directorate (ED) immediately took a stay. She said that the next day, the CBI made him an accused and arrested him today. "The entire system is trying to ensure that he does not get out of jail. This is dictatorship; this is an emergency."

Kejriwal Will Not Bow or Break

AAP also condemned Kejriwal's arrest, saying, "The tyrant has crossed all limits of cruelty. Today, when there was a strong possibility of Kejriwal getting bail, the BJP panicked and got him arrested by the CBI on false charges." The CBI took Kejriwal to Rouse Avenue Court, where his blood sugar level dropped significantly. "No matter how much oppression the tyrant inflicts, Kejriwal will neither bow nor break."

CBI Requests 5-Day Custody

The CBI formally arrested CM Arvind Kejriwal and requested five days of custody. Special Judge Amitabh Rawat reserved the order on the custody plea. In court, Kejriwal declared his innocence and stated that both his former deputy Manish Sisodia and the Aam Aadmi Party were innocent.

Kejriwal's Court Statement

Kejriwal told the court that media reports quoting CBI sources claimed he blamed the entire issue on Manish Sisodia. "I did not make any such statement that Sisodia is guilty or anyone else is guilty. I said that Sisodia is innocent, AAP is innocent, and I am innocent." He added that the intention was to defame them before the media. He requested the court to record that all these claims were circulated through CBI sources in the media. Kejriwal further asserted that the CBI was sensationalizing the issue.

CBI's Argument in Court

The CBI's lawyer stated in court that their arguments were based on facts and no agency sources made any claims. The CBI, seeking Kejriwal's custody, said they needed to question him about the larger conspiracy in the case, present him with evidence, and confront him with other accused individuals. They argued that Kejriwal did not recognize Vijay Nair, who allegedly worked under him, and claimed that Nair was under Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bhardwaj. The CBI stressed the need for a face-to-face confrontation and to show him documents.

Court's Query to CBI

When the court asked why the CBI was arresting Kejriwal now, the CBI's lawyer explained that elections were previously ongoing, and the agency refrained from arresting him. The lawyer said that the court was considering interim bail for election purposes, and while the CBI could have arrested him then, they chose not to, showing their restraint.

Kejriwal's Lawyer Opposes Custody

Kejriwal's lawyer opposed the CBI's custody request, calling the remand application vague and a classic case of abuse of power. The defense also requested documents related to the CBI's proceedings against Kejriwal, including the court order concerning his interrogation at Tihar Jail on Tuesday evening.