No Relief for Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody until August 8

Delhi's Rouse Avenue on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until August 8 in connection with the alleged excise policy case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The AAP chief, granted interim bail by Supreme Court in money laundering case but remains in Tihar Jail due to separate CBI arrest over excise policy irregularities.

The Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal on July 12 in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy. However, Kejriwal remains in Tihar Jail due to his separate arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in the formation and implementation of the excise policy. The Delhi court also extended the judicial custody of co-accused individuals, including former deputy CM Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha, in a separate money laundering case linked to the same excise policy.

The Aam Aadmi Party has raised concerns about Kejriwal's health in jail, claiming that he has lost weight and experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has responded with allegations that Kejriwal is intentionally following a low-calorie diet for sympathy. The Delhi lieutenant governor has also written a letter to the Chief Secretary citing a prison report, alleging that Kejriwal may be avoiding his prescribed diet and medications despite having access to sufficient food and medication in prison.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he was being held in connection with a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Kejriwal's legal troubles began with his arrest by the ED on March 21, and are linked to alleged irregularities and corruption in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped excise policy, which was withdrawn in 2022 following a CBI probe ordered by the Delhi lieutenant governor.