Rajeev Sharma :- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has approached the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that discharged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the controversial excise policy case. The agency has argued that the lower court’s decision overlooked crucial evidence collected during the investigation.
Appearing before the High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, contended that the case involves serious allegations of corruption and should not have been dismissed without a detailed trial. He maintained that the investigation had uncovered substantial material indicating an alleged conspiracy linked to the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy.
The CBI submitted that the trial court granted relief to Kejriwal, Sisodia and several other accused prematurely, without allowing the prosecution to present the full scope of evidence during a proper judicial examination. According to the agency, the investigation had gathered documents, statements and other material that pointed towards irregularities in the policy-making process.
Mehta also informed the court that investigators had collected evidence suggesting that certain provisions of the excise policy may have been manipulated, allegedly in exchange for financial benefits. Witness testimonies recorded during the probe were cited as supporting the agency’s claims.
The CBI has urged the Delhi High Court to review the trial court’s order and permit the case to proceed to trial so that the evidence can be thoroughly examined. The excise policy case has drawn significant political and public attention, with investigators probing alleged financial irregularities and decision-making processes associated with the liquor policy introduced by the Delhi government.
The High Court is expected to continue hearing arguments from both sides before delivering its ruling on the agency’s challenge to the trial court’s decision.
