Trial court extends Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody till August 8

New Delhi, July 25

A Delhi court today extended the judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal in laundering and corruption cases linked to the alleged excise scam.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Courts extended his custody in the laundering case being probed by the ED till July 31 and in the corruption case being probed by the CBI till August 8. The SC had earlier granted him interim bail in the ED case. However, he continues to be lodged in Tihar as he has not furnished the bail bond in the case. Along with the Delhi CM, the court also extended the judicial custody of AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha and other accused till July 31 in the money laundering case.

In another development, the Delhi HC has allowed Kejriwal two additional meetings with lawyers in a week through videoconferencing.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna allowed the additional meetings, recognising Kejriwal’s fundamental right to a fair trial and effective legal representation.

Kejriwal had moved the petition, citing extensive legal battles he faces across more than 30 cases in various states.

In a related development, Justice Krishna reserved the order on Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the CBI and seeking interim bail in the corruption case.