The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to challenge the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia before the Delhi High Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
The decision comes after the Rouse Avenue Court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 other accused in the alleged excise policy corruption case, declining to frame charges against any of the 23 individuals named in the charge sheet.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh, while passing the order, observed that the CBI had arraigned the two senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders without “concrete material.” The court pointed out several lacunae in the charge sheet and noted that the allegations were not supported by witness statements or substantive evidence on record. It further held that no prima facie case was made out against Sisodia and remarked that Kejriwal had been implicated without adequate proof.
The court also pulled up the investigating agency over deficiencies in the probe.
Following the order, Kejriwal expressed faith in the judiciary and termed the case a political conspiracy aimed at weakening his party. Sisodia said the verdict reaffirmed his belief in the Constitution and the rule of law.
However, the CBI has maintained that several crucial aspects of its investigation were either overlooked or not adequately appreciated by the trial court, and has resolved to immediately move the High Court seeking a reversal of the discharge order.
