The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a sharp rebuke to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over its arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, urging the agency to prove it is no longer a “caged parrot.” The court’s comments came as it granted bail to Kejriwal, who had been in custody since March 11.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, in a strongly worded observation, emphasized that the CBI must work to dispel the public perception of being under political influence. “The CBI must dispel the notion of being a caged parrot. It must show it is an uncaged parrot,” said Justice Bhuyan, alluding to the common accusation that the agency acts under the direction of the Central government.
The term “caged parrot” has often been used by opposition leaders to accuse the CBI of being a tool for political vendetta. Justice Bhuyan expressed confusion about the urgency of Kejriwal’s arrest after 22 months of investigation, especially when the Delhi Chief Minister was about to secure bail in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case. “It would be a travesty of justice to keep Arvind Kejriwal in custody when he got bail in the ED case on the same grounds,” he stated.
The court further criticized the CBI for justifying Kejriwal’s prolonged detention, based on his alleged “evasive replies” during questioning. Justice Bhuyan pointed out that refusing to self-incriminate cannot be construed as non-cooperation. “Non-cooperation cannot mean self-incrimination,” he remarked, questioning the timing of the CBI’s actions, which appeared aimed at preventing Kejriwal’s release from custody in the ED case.
While granting bail to the Delhi Chief Minister, the court imposed restrictions, barring him from entering his office and signing official documents. Kejriwal was also instructed not to make any public statements regarding the merits of the case. Justice Bhuyan refrained from commenting on the conditions imposed on Kejriwal in the ED case, citing judicial discipline.
The court’s ruling has intensified the ongoing debate around the independence of central investigative agencies. The opposition continues to accuse the Central government of using institutions like the CBI and ED to target political rivals, while the government maintains that these actions are part of lawful investigations.