CBI – Delhi High Court Gives Final Chance to AAP Leaders in Excise Case Reply
CBI – The Delhi High Court has granted what it described as a final opportunity to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak to submit their responses in a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency has challenged an earlier order that discharged the three leaders in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy case. The matter will now be taken up on August 17 for further proceedings.
Hearing Deferred Due to Lawyers’ Abstention
The case came up before Justice Manoj Jain on Thursday. However, the hearing could not move forward because none of the lawyers representing the discharged AAP leaders appeared in court. Their absence was linked to the ongoing work abstention by lawyers of the Delhi High Court. In view of the situation, the court decided to adjourn the matter and scheduled the next hearing for August 17.
The High Court also made it clear that the extension granted to the respondents would be treated as the final opportunity to place their replies on record before the court considers the CBI’s revision petition in detail.
CBI Raises Concern Over Delay
Appearing on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the respondents had already been given multiple opportunities to file their replies. He told the court that the proceedings had been delayed for a considerable period and requested that the matter be taken up without further postponement.
The CBI has challenged the discharge of the three AAP leaders, seeking judicial review of the earlier order. The agency has maintained that the revision petition deserves timely consideration so that the legal process can move ahead without unnecessary delay.
Court Declines Request for Earlier Listing
Despite the CBI’s submissions, the High Court did not agree to advance the hearing to an earlier date. Justice Manoj Jain observed the arguments placed before the bench but retained the scheduled date of August 17 for the next hearing.
The judge, however, indicated that a clear time frame would be fixed for hearing the arguments on behalf of the discharged accused once their responses are filed. This is expected to help streamline the proceedings and ensure that the revision petition progresses in an orderly manner.
Focus Remains on Revision Petition
At this stage, the High Court is examining the CBI’s revision petition against the discharge order. The present proceedings are limited to determining whether the earlier decision requires judicial reconsideration based on the grounds raised by the investigating agency.
The court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations or the defence of the respondents. The upcoming hearing will primarily focus on the replies to be filed by the AAP leaders, after which the court is expected to hear detailed submissions from both sides before deciding the next course of action.
The August 17 hearing is likely to be significant as it will provide the respondents with their final opportunity to present their stand before the High Court proceeds with arguments on the CBI’s challenge.