New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to approach the Delhi High Court, seeking to challenge a recent trial court order that discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case.
The move follows the ruling by the special court at Rouse Avenue Court, which granted relief to the two senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party. The court held that the allegations put forward by the investigating agency failed to meet the threshold required to proceed with criminal prosecution.
While delivering the order, the trial court observed that the purported central role attributed to Kejriwal and Sisodia in the alleged conspiracy could not be established through the evidence presented. It noted that the accusations did not withstand judicial scrutiny and lacked the necessary material to justify framing charges at this stage.
The court made specific observations regarding Manish Sisodia, stating that there was no indication of criminal intent on his part. It further remarked that the prosecution’s conspiracy theory could not survive when tested against the actions of a constitutional authority functioning within its official domain. According to the court, the material placed on record was insufficient to suggest wrongdoing that warranted continuation of the proceedings.
The order marked a significant development in the long-running case linked to the now-withdrawn Delhi excise policy, which had become a major political flashpoint. The discharge was seen as a major relief for the two leaders, who have consistently denied the allegations and maintained that the case lacked legal merit.
However, the CBI has now indicated that it will contest the ruling before the Delhi High Court, arguing that the trial court erred in its assessment of the evidence. By moving the higher court, the agency aims to seek a re-evaluation of the findings and revive the case against the former Delhi government leaders.
The High Court is expected to examine whether the trial court correctly applied legal principles while assessing the material on record. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the discharge order stands or if the case proceeds further, potentially reopening a politically sensitive chapter in the capital’s recent history.
