Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to appear in court today as his three-day CBI custody comes to an end. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with the liquor policy case and will be presented before the Rouse Avenue court at 7 PM.

The CBI had initially requested a five-day remand, but the court granted only three days. The agency argued that Kejriwal's custody was essential for confronting him with evidence and documents. They also claimed that Kejriwal implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, suggesting that the idea of privatization originated from Sisodia.

Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, opposed the CBI's request for custody, calling it an abuse of power and demanding access to the necessary documents. During the court proceedings, Kejriwal asserted his innocence and defended other AAP leaders, including Sisodia. He accused the CBI of using the media to falsely implicate him and denied blaming Sisodia.

Currently, Kejriwal is in Tihar Jail due to his alleged involvement in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Delhi liquor policy case pertains to alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, including unauthorized modifications, undue favors to licensees, and extending L-1 licenses without proper approval. The CBI is investigating corruption charges, while the ED is looking into potential money laundering.

In July 2022, then-Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into the AAP government’s 2021-22 excise policy, citing "deliberate and gross procedural lapses" as noted in an assessment report by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. Following this, the Home Ministry directed an inquiry, and in August 2022, the CBI registered a case against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, ten liquor licensees, and others.

The CBI’s FIR alleges that the accused played a crucial role in making decisions related to the excise policy for 2021-22 without proper authorization, aiming to extend undue favors to licensees after the tender process.