Excise Policy Case: Kejriwal-Sisodia in Fresh Trouble, CBI Calls It “Major Scam,” Says Acquittal Was Wrong
CBI Challenges Kejriwal-Sisodia’s Acquittal in Delhi Excise Policy Case, Calls It “Major Scam”
The CBI has approached the Delhi High Court to contest the acquittal of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case, labeling it one of the largest scams. The agency alleged that the lower court wrongly dismissed substantial evidence, leading to the legal battle now moving to the High Court.
CBI Appeals Kejriwal-Sisodia Acquittal in Delhi Excise Policy Case, Calls Lower Court Order “Wrong”
The CBI on Monday filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court challenging the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and others in the Delhi excise policy case. The agency argued that the lower court’s order clearing them was erroneous and emphasized that the case represents one of the largest scams, citing clear instances of corruption.
The agency claimed that the lower court acquitted the accused without proper hearings and ignored substantial evidence collected by the CBI. It also highlighted allegations that bribes were allegedly paid even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some officials reportedly traveling on private planes despite restrictions.
According to the CBI, witnesses and evidence strongly support the case against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others. Last week, a trial court had acquitted the accused, stating that the evidence collected during the excise policy investigation “failed, prima facie, to establish concealment of policy, bias, or violation of constitutional rights.”
Special Judge Jitendra Singh, presiding over the case against Sisodia, Kejriwal, K. Kavita (Chairperson, Telangana Jaagruti), and 20 others, had noted in his 598-page order that the available record did not indicate any prima facie attempt to hide the policy, act unilaterally, or violate constitutional rights. The court said that the policy’s implementation reflected careful consultation, communication, and administrative prudence.
The prosecution, however, contended that Sisodia ignored the Ravi Dhawan Committee report highlighting discrepancies in the excise policy. The CBI argued that the new policy was designed to correct the challenges of the previous framework, including improving distribution margins and addressing monopolistic practices and regulatory gaps.
This appeal now moves the case to the Delhi High Court, where the agency seeks to overturn the acquittal.