Delhi HC grants Kejriwal time to respond to CBI plea in excise policy case
Delhi HC grants Kejriwal time to respond to CBI plea in excise policy case
Delhi High Court asks Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others to file replies to the CBI plea challenging their discharge in the excise policy matter, next hearing on April 6.
The Delhi High Court on Monday granted time to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior party leader Manish Sisodia, and 21 others to respond to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) petition challenging a trial court verdict on February 27 that discharged them in the excise policy case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma posted the CBI’s plea for hearing on April 6. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the probe agency, said the trial court’s “perverse” order “cannot remain on record even for a second more than necessary”. He added that Mr. Kejriwal and others should not be given more than a week’s time to file their response.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in Delhi’s excise policy during the AAP government’s tenure in 2021-22. The CBI has challenged the February discharge order by the trial court, seeking to keep the probe active as it pursues the central questions in the matter. The court did not rule on merits on this occasion but granted a schedule for replies, underscoring the procedural stage of the proceedings.
Kejriwal and several co-accused reportedly did not appear on the first day when asked to file replies, and are now seeking more time to respond. The development keeps the political-legal dispute in the headlines as the April 6 hearing approaches, with both sides preparing for further arguments and potential implications for the ongoing investigation.
Observers note that the outcome of this plea could influence how the CBI proceeds with questions around the excise policy and its alleged irregularities, though a final judgment remains a matter for the court to decide in subsequent proceedings.
