CBI Appeal – Agency to Challenge Kejriwal Discharge in Court
CBI Appeal – The Central Bureau of Investigation has announced that it will promptly approach the Delhi High Court to contest a trial court’s decision that cleared former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case.
Agency to Move High Court
In an official statement released on Friday, the investigative agency said it intends to file an appeal without delay. According to the CBI, key elements of its probe were either overlooked or insufficiently assessed when the trial court declined to accept its chargesheet.
The agency maintained that the findings of its investigation warranted judicial consideration and indicated that it believes the lower court’s order did not fully account for the material gathered during the inquiry.
Trial Court Rejects Chargesheet
Earlier in the day, a special court in Delhi refused to take cognisance of the CBI’s chargesheet in connection with the now-withdrawn excise policy introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party government. As a result, Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 other accused individuals were discharged from the case.
Among those who received relief from the court was K. Kavitha, president of Telangana Jagruthi. The case has drawn national attention due to the senior political figures involved and the broader allegations of corruption linked to the liquor policy.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh, while delivering the order, concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused. The court observed that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold required to initiate a trial.
Court Flags Gaps in Evidence
In his ruling, the judge referred to what he described as misleading statements within the chargesheet. He also pointed out that the extensive document, which ran into several volumes, contained noticeable inconsistencies and unsupported claims.
According to the court’s findings, certain allegations were not adequately backed by documentary evidence or reliable witness testimony. The absence of clear corroboration played a significant role in the decision to discharge the accused.
Legal observers noted that the refusal to take cognisance effectively halted proceedings at this stage, unless overturned by a higher court. The CBI’s planned appeal is expected to test the legal reasoning adopted by the trial court.
Background of the Excise Policy Probe
The controversy centres on alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of Delhi’s excise policy, which was implemented by the Aam Aadmi Party government before being scrapped amid political criticism and corruption allegations.
The policy had aimed to overhaul the city’s liquor licensing system, but it soon became the subject of intense scrutiny. Critics alleged that certain provisions may have provided undue benefits to select entities, prompting investigations by both the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
The matter has evolved into one of the most closely watched political and legal battles in recent years. Arrests, interrogations and court hearings have marked the course of the probe, with senior leaders repeatedly asserting that the charges are politically motivated. Investigative agencies, on the other hand, have maintained that their actions are based solely on evidence collected during the inquiry.
With the CBI now preparing to challenge the discharge order before the Delhi High Court, the case appears set to enter another phase of judicial examination. The outcome of the appeal could determine whether the allegations proceed to trial or remain dismissed at the preliminary stage.