HC Rules Kejriwal and Sisodia Remain Innocent Until Trial, Says Lower Court Overlooked Key Facts
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court on behalf of the CBI that the excise duty policy case is one of the largest scams and a clear example of corruption.
Delhi HC Issues Notice to Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 Others in Excise Policy Case, CBI Challenges Trial Court Acquittal
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others on a CBI petition in the excise policy case. On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation told the High Court that the lower court’s order acquitting Kejriwal and Sisodia was “unjust.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, stated that the excise duty policy case is one of the largest scams in recent history and a clear example of corruption. He added that the trial court had acquitted Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others without a proper hearing, ignoring substantial evidence gathered by the CBI that allegedly demonstrates manipulation and bribery in the liquor policy. According to the CBI, sufficient evidence exists against the accused, and key witnesses support the investigation.
Last week, a Delhi court had acquitted former Deputy CM Sisodia, noting that the evidence collected by the CBI during the liquor policy probe “failed, prima facie, to show concealment of policy, bias, or violation of constitutional rights.” The court also stated that the policy process appeared to have been conducted with consultation, communication, and administrative caution.
The case, heard by Special Judge Jitendra Singh, involves Kejriwal, Sisodia, Telangana Jagriti chairperson K. Kavitha, and 20 others. In its 598-page order, the court observed that the excise policy aimed to address challenges in the previous excise framework, including improving distribution margins and tackling monopoly tendencies and regulatory gaps. The CBI, however, claimed that Sisodia ignored the Ravi Dhawan Committee report, which highlighted discrepancies in the excise policy, supporting allegations of manipulation and corruption.