Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Seeks Reply from Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 Others

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted time to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others to file their responses to a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging their discharge in the liquor policy case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma fixed April 6 as the next date of hearing in the matter. The CBI has approached the High Court contesting the trial court’s order that discharged the accused in connection with the excise policy case. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the CBI, strongly objected to the trial court’s decision and described the order as “wrong”. He argued that such an order should not remain on record even for a second and maintained that the accused should not be given more than one week to file their replies. Counsel representing the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party informed the court that they had challenged the matter before the Supreme Court of India. However, the High Court clarified that proceedings would continue unless a stay order is issued by the apex court. Notably, on February 27, the trial court had discharged Kejriwal and others in the case, observing that the CBI’s case was based merely on assumptions. The investigation agency has now challenged that order before the High Court.