The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its decision to boycott the President’s address in protest against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and party leader Arvind Kejriwal. The party's Rajya Sabha MP, Sandeep Pathak, emphasized that their action is a response to what they perceive as an assault on the Constitution and justice system.
Kejriwal was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a corruption case related to the Delhi excise policy. Following his arrest, he has been held in Tihar jail, having initially been apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 for a money laundering case.
Despite securing bail from a trial court, the Delhi High Court intervened, pausing the bail order and eventually denying it, leading to his ongoing custody.
The special CBI court, which refused to grant Kejriwal relief in the liquor policy case, stated that based on the available evidence, it could not declare the arrest illegal at this stage. However, it cautioned the CBI against being "overzealous" in its actions.
Kejriwal has been remanded to CBI custody for three days, which is two days less than the agency had requested. This decision was made after his arrest at the Rouse Avenue court.
The AAP leader's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, has voiced her concerns, alleging a concerted effort by the entire system to keep her husband in jail. She criticized the rapid sequence of legal actions that led to his arrest, describing it as a manifestation of dictatorship and an emergency-like situation.
During the court proceedings, the Rouse Avenue court highlighted that investigative agencies have the prerogative to conduct investigations, provided they adhere to legal safeguards. The court has permitted Kejriwal daily meetings with his wife for an hour and has allowed provisions for a medically prescribed diet, home-cooked food, and necessary medications during his custody.
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari, representing Kejriwal, argued that the arrest was unnecessary at this juncture and questioned its timing. The court, however, maintained that while the timing might be questionable, it is not sufficient grounds to declare the arrest illegal.
Chaudhari recounted that Kejriwal had previously cooperated with a nine-hour interrogation by the CBI in April of the previous year, and no subsequent notice was issued until his recent arrest. He contended that transitioning Kejriwal from a witness to an accused represents a significant leap, especially given the prolonged investigation since August 2022.
The CBI has dismissed AAP's allegations, asserting that the timing of the arrest was not politically motivated. The agency defended its actions, stating that it was conducted with the court's permission and that there was no obligation to inform the accused in advance about the investigation's progression.