Delhi Excise Police case: Kejriwal’s arrest was an ‘insurance arrest’, Singhvi argues in High Court

The Delhi High Court has begun hearing on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in the corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. The matter is being heard by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna on a court holiday. During the hearing, Kejriwal’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that his arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam was an “insurance arrest”.
Singhvi argued, “It is unfortunately an insurance arrest. I have effectively three release orders in my favour (in ED case) under very stringent provisions… These orders show that the man is entitled to be released. He would have been released but for this insurance arrest.” Asserting that Kejriwal was “not a terrorist”, Singhvi claimed that his arrest was not as per the mandate of the law and Kejriwal was entitled to bail. Countering both the pleas by Kejriwal — one challenging his arrest and the other seeking bail, advocate DP Singh argued on behalf of the CBI and said calling Kejriwal’s arrest an “insurance arrest” was “unjustified”. Earlier this month, the Delhi High asked the CBI to respond to the Aam Aadmi Party chief’s bail plea.