No relief for Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi court extends custody till August 8 in CBI case

A Delhi court on Thursday extended chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody until August 8 in the excise policy case. The AAP supremo appeared via video conference from Tihar Jail.

Rouse Avenue court’s special judge Kaveri Baweja ordered the extension of Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody in excise policy case, probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), until August 8.

The court also extended the judicial custody of former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia, BRS leader K Kavitha, and other accused in a separate money laundering case linked to the same excise policy. The court also directed Tihar Jail authorities to produce Delhi CM via video conference on July 31.

Although the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the ED case, he remains in Tihar Jail due to his arrest by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the excise policy’s formation and implementation.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Narendra Modi-led central government of trying to harm Delhi chief minister’s health in jail. The party claimed Kejriwal has lost weight and experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels, suggesting he could face severe health issues, including coma or brain damage.

In response, the BJP alleged that Kejriwal is intentionally following a low-calorie diet for sympathy. BJP leader Shazia Ilmi claimed Kejriwal is using his diet to gain public support.

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena has alleged that Kejriwal may be deliberately avoiding his prescribed medical diet and medications. A letter from the Lt governor to chief secretary Naresh Kumar, citing a prison report, alleged that Kejriwal has been intentionally consuming low-calorie food despite having access to sufficient home-cooked meals.