The Delhi High Court has issued new notices to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak in response to a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging their discharge in an alleged excise policy corruption case. During the hearing, Justice Manoj Jain noted the absence of several respondents who had not appeared or filed responses despite multiple listings.
Representing the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that all respondents had been served and given numerous opportunities to respond. Urging an expedited hearing, Mehta argued that the trial court’s discharge order does not hold up legally and that the case involves serious accusations.
In light of some respondents’ non-attendance despite repeated listings, Justice Jain ordered the issuance of fresh notices to ensure the involvement of all parties in the proceedings. Additionally, the court directed SG Mehta to inform Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak about the transfer of the CBI’s revision petition to Justice Jain’s Bench.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on May 25 at 2:30 p.m., following its reassignment from Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma to Justice Jain. The transfer occurred after Justice Sharma initiated contempt proceedings related to alleged dissemination of defamatory material against the judiciary in connection with the excise policy case.
