Delhi liquor policy case: HC stays trial court’s adverse observations about CBI

The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the adverse observations made by a trial court against the Central Bureau of Investigation while discharging all 23 accused, including Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, Bar and Bench reported.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma also directed the trial court to postpone hearings in the connected money-laundering case until the High Court decides the CBI’s revision petition challenging the discharge order.

The High Court also issued notice to the accused persons and asked them to file their replies to the CBI’s revision plea, Bar and Bench reported.

On February 27, a special court at Rouse Avenue Courts discharged all the accused in the corruption case related to the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy. The court had criticised the CBI for implicating Kejriwal and Sisodia without any cogent material and said the chargesheet contained several gaps not supported by witnesses or statements.

The trial court had also said it would recommend a departmental inquiry against CBI officials who made a public servant the accused number one in the case. It had said that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent behind the excise policy.

During Monday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, said the agency was not seeking a...

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