The Delhi High Court has deferred the hearing on the CBI’s plea challenging the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other accused in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam case till July 16.
The matter was taken up by Justice Manoj Jain following its transfer from the Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma. The transfer came in the backdrop of contempt proceedings initiated against certain leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, over alleged remarks and social media posts concerning the judge.
Appearing for the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that affidavits of service had already been filed with respect to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak. The Court noted that fresh vakalatnamas had been filed on behalf of the respondents after the matter was reassigned and directed the Registry to verify the records before the next date of hearing.
The revision petition filed by the CBI assails the February 27 order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court discharging all 23 accused persons, including Kejriwal, Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha, in the corruption case linked to the now-withdrawn Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
In its challenge before the High Court, the investigating agency has contended that the trial court failed to properly appreciate the evidence collected during investigation and erroneously concluded that no prima facie case was made out against the accused persons.
The excise policy case has remained politically and legally significant since the arrests of several senior political leaders, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, during the course of the investigation. Both leaders were subsequently granted bail after prolonged periods of incarceration.
The High Court is now expected to continue hearing the matter on July 16.
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