Trial court order discharging Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia ‘perverse’: CBI tells Delhi HC

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Monday told the Delhi High Court that the trial court order discharging former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case was “perverse”.

Appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Mehta said the agency had challenged the trial court’s decision and argued that the relief granted to the Aam Aadmi Party leaders was legally flawed.

The Delhi High Court began hearing the CBI’s appeal against the trial court order that discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others in the case related to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

The matter is being heard by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, with Mehta appearing on behalf of the CBI.

During the hearing, the Solicitor General described the excise policy case as “one of the biggest scams” and a clear instance of corruption. He argued that the trial court effectively passed an order of acquittal in favour of Kejriwal, Sisodia and others without a trial.

“Meticulous evidence has been collected by the CBI to show conspiracy and bribery for the manipulated liquor policy,” Mehta told the court.

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and 21 others on the CBI appeal challenging the trial court's order that discharged all 23 accused.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 16.