Kejriwal–Sisodia Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Sends Notice After CBI Challenge

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and 21 others after the CBI challenged a trial court order that earlier discharged them in the Delhi excise policy case. The court now wants their response before deciding whether that discharge order should stand or be reviewed. The development means the legal fight over the controversial liquor policy is not finished yet.

What Happened In Delhi High Court

The case took a fresh turn when the Central Bureau of Investigation approached the Delhi High Court. The agency challenged a previous decision from a trial court that had cleared 23 accused people, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma heard the matter and issued notices to all the accused individuals. Basically, the court has asked them to respond to the CBI’s revision petition. Only after hearing both sides will the High Court decide whether the earlier discharge order should remain or not.

The High Court also paused some remarks made by the trial court against the CBI and the officer who investigated the case. According to the judge, those remarks will remain stayed for now.

Why The CBI Challenged The Trial Court Order

The CBI believes the trial court made a mistake by discharging the accused at an early stage. According to the agency, there was enough evidence that deserved a full trial instead of ending the case before hearings could really begin.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued before the High Court that the trial court’s order almost looked like an acquittal without trial. In his words, the case involves what investigators describe as one of the biggest corruption scandals connected to Delhi’s liquor policy.

The CBI claims the policy was allegedly manipulated to favour certain liquor traders. Investigators say meetings took place, bribes were discussed, and digital evidence like emails and WhatsApp messages exists.

However, these claims will still need to be tested in court if the High Court decides the case should go to trial.

What The Trial Court Had Said Earlier

The controversy started earlier when a special court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Courts complex discharged all 23 accused in the case. The judge said there was not enough solid evidence to frame charges at that stage.

The court also rejected the idea that there was a large conspiracy behind the excise policy. According to the trial judge, the documents available suggested the policy was made through discussions and official procedures rather than secret planning.

Because of that reasoning, the court decided the accused could not be put on trial based on the available material.

That decision is exactly what the CBI is now challenging in the High Court.

Excise Policy Case: What The Allegations Are

The Delhi excise policy controversy began after the AAP government introduced a new liquor policy in the national capital. Later the policy was scrapped after criticism and investigations started.

According to the CBI, the policy allegedly benefited certain private liquor companies and groups. Investigators claim that some businesses received undue advantages in exchange for alleged bribes.

The agency also alleged that these payments were linked to political purposes. Authorities say irregularities in the policy may have caused losses to the public exchequer.

But again, these allegations remain disputed. The accused leaders have denied wrongdoing and say the case is politically motivated.

Money Laundering Case Linked To The Policy

There is also a connected money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. During the High Court hearing, Justice Sharma indicated that proceedings in that case may be postponed until the High Court first decides the CBI revision petition.

This step is meant to avoid overlapping legal processes while the court reviews the earlier discharge order.

The matter is scheduled for the next hearing soon, and that hearing could decide the future direction of the case.

What Happens Next In The Case

Right now, the High Court has only issued notices and asked for responses from the accused. The court has not yet decided whether the trial court’s decision was correct or flawed.

Once replies are filed, the High Court will hear detailed arguments from both sides. After that, it will decide if the case should proceed to trial or if the discharge order should remain.

For now, the Delhi excise policy case stays very much alive in court. Political debates around it continue too, and honestly, they probably won’t slow down anytime soon.