Legal Battle Recharged: CBI to Challenge Kejriwal and Sisodia’s Acquittal in High Court
The dust has barely settled on the Rouse Avenue Court’s explosive verdict, but the legal war over the Delhi Excise Policy is already moving to a higher arena. According to sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is preparing to approach the Delhi High Court to challenge the wholesale acquittal of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and 21 others.
This move follows a stinging defeat for the agency, where a special court refused to even take cognizance of the CBI’s chargesheet, effectively throwing the case out before it could reach a full trial.
Why the Trial Court Slammed the Breakes
In a decision that fundamentally questioned the quality of the investigation, the trial court cited “glaring loopholes” and a total lack of “prima facie” evidence. The judge’s observations were a direct indictment of the prosecution’s strategy:
- Policy vs. Plot: The court ruled that the formulation of the excise policy appeared to be a standard administrative exercise rather than a criminal conspiracy.
- The Missing Link: While the CBI alleged a “mastermind” role for Kejriwal, the court noted that such heavy accusations require substantial material support, which was nowhere to be found in the voluminous filings.
- Institutional Trust: In a pointed remark, the judge warned that leveling grave charges without supporting evidence erodes public confidence in the judicial and administrative systems.
“The prosecution’s case fails to withstand judicial scrutiny. When documents are viewed alongside recorded statements, they reflect administrative deliberation rather than criminal intent,” the court observed regarding Manish Sisodia’s involvement.
“The Greatest Conspiracy”: Kejriwal Strikes Back
For Arvind Kejriwal, the acquittal was a moment of intense emotional release. Casting the entire investigation as a targeted hit job, the former CM labeled the case “the largest political conspiracy in the history of independent India.”
Kejriwal alleged that the entire legal machinery was weaponized by the BJP to dismantle the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. He delivered a stern warning to his political rivals, stating:
“No one should play with the nation and the Constitution in such a manner just to cling to power.”
What Happens Next?
The CBI’s decision to appeal indicates that the agency is not backing down despite the trial court’s “lack of evidence” ruling. The High Court will now have to determine if the lower court was too quick to dismiss the charges or if the CBI truly lacks the “smoking gun” needed to sustain a corruption trial.