Arvind Kejriwal: Already facing heat from ED, how CBI may raise troubles for AAP

The arrest of Bharat Rashtra Samithi functionary K Kavitha by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday has sparked apprehensions about the potential arrest of Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a TOI report stated. This development comes on the heels of Kejriwal's recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, just a week after Kavitha's apprehension.

If CBI were to arrest Kejriwal at this juncture, while he is currently detained in Tihar Jail, it could prolong his judicial custody, according to sources.

Last month, the CBI informed a court about the likelihood of "high profile arrests" in the liquor policy case and opposed Sisodia's bail plea. Thus far, Kavitha remains the sole individual arrested in connection with the case.

Investigators allege that Kavitha collaborated with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to secure advantages in the formulation and execution of Delhi's excise policy. Sisodia had been arrested by the CBI last year.

ED has accused Kejriwal of being the "mastermind" behind the purported scam, directly participating in devising an excise policy conducive to bribery.

Kejriwal underwent nine hours of questioning by the CBI in April last year. CBI had issued a notice under section 160 CrPC, summoning the Delhi Chief Minister to address various aspects of the alleged scam.

"He joined the investigation and his statement was recorded under 161 CrPC. The statement will be verified and collated with the available evidence," stated CBI. During the interrogation, CBI sought clarifications on disclosures made by the arrested individuals in the case, in addition to inquiries about a missing file and Kejriwal's purported communication with arrested liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru via FaceTime, instructing him to comply with Vijay Nair's directives, who was AAP's arrested communication in-charge at the time.

CBI also sought clarification on whether a draft policy was handed over to a Danics officer named C Arvind at Kejriwal's residence, along with verifying certain details allegedly retrieved from an iCloud account.

AAP has not responded to speculations regarding Kejriwal's potential arrest.