Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's judicial custody has been extended until 25th September

New Delhi – The judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is under arrest in connection with the liquor policy scam case, has been extended until 25^th September. During the hearing on 11^th September, Kejriwal appeared via video conferencing.

In the same case, the court granted bail to AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak on a bond of Rs 1,00,000. Pathak appeared in court as summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after a supplementary chargesheet was filed. The CBI had named Arvind Kejriwal, Durgesh Pathak, Vinod Chauhan, Ashish Mathur, and Sarath Reddy in the supplementary chargesheet submitted to the Rouse Avenue court. The court acknowledged the chargesheet on 3^rd September and ordered all accused to appear and provide their statements by 11^th September. After hearing the statements, the court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody and granted bail to Pathak.

The CBI has identified Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as one of the key facilitators in the liquor policy scam. Earlier, on 30^th July, the CBI filed its 4^th supplementary chargesheet, which included Kejriwal as an accused. The agency alleges that Kejriwal played a central role in orchestrating the scam. On 23^rd August, the CBI received permission from the Rouse Avenue court to prosecute him. Subsequently, on 7^th September, the CBI submitted its 5^th and final chargesheet in the case to the Rouse Avenue court.

Editorial Perspective

For the Chief Minister of a crucial Union Territory like Delhi to be in jail for nearly 6 months while still holding office is a gross travesty of democracy. There can be no greater failure of democracy than a Chief Minister being unavailable to address the problems of Delhiites. The Union government should dissolve the Delhi government and impose President’s Rule to restore effective governance.