The Delhi High Court has postponed the hearing on a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and others in an alleged excise policy corruption case. The court adjourned the matter till July 16. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that ‘vakalatnamas’ have been filed on behalf of Kejriwal, Sisodia, and AAP leader Durgesh Pathak.
Referring to previous proceedings, SG Mehta mentioned that the respondents had appeared in the matter before and even filed recusal pleas, which were dismissed. Justice Manoj Jain noted the filing of ‘vakalatnamas’ and stated that all parties would be heard on the next hearing date, with a schedule for the proceedings to be set. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July 16.
The case was reassigned to Justice Jain after criminal contempt proceedings were initiated against AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, for allegedly circulating defamatory material targeting the judiciary. Last week, notices were issued to Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Pathak as some respondents failed to appear or submit replies despite multiple opportunities.
SG Mehta had urged the court to expedite the matter, arguing that the trial court’s discharge order was legally questionable and involved serious allegations. The trial court had acquitted all accused individuals in the corruption case, stating that the excise policy was a result of a consultative process and that no conspiracy was proven. The CBI, in its revision plea, alleged that the excise policy favored specific liquor traders in exchange for kickbacks.
