Delhi High Court Stays Remarks Against CBI in Excise Case
In a significant local development, the Delhi High Court has stayed adverse remarks made by a trial court against the CBI in the ongoing excise policy case. The court also issued notices to key political figures, keeping the high-profile investigation at the center of Delhi's political landscape.
The Delhi High Court's intervention follows a trial court's scathing 598-page verdict on February 27, 2026, which discharged all 23 accused, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia. The trial court had described the CBI's investigation as a "pre-meditated and choreographed exercise" and found no prima facie evidence of a criminal conspiracy. At the heart of the case is the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which ended the government's dominance in liquor sales and opened the retail sector to private players. The policy was rolled out in November 2021 but was scrapped in July 2022 after the Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI probe into alleged procedural lapses and corruption. The CBI's core allegation was that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership received kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore from a "South Group" of liquor businesses. These funds were allegedly funneled into the party's Goa election campaign in exchange for favorable policy changes, such as tweaking profit margins and eligibility criteria. The trial court, however, ruled that the prosecution's case was a "speculative construct resting on conjecture" and lacked legally admissible evidence. It criticized the CBI for its heavy reliance on approver statements without independent corroboration and even ordered a departmental inquiry against the investigating officer for framing charges without sufficient material. In its appeal, the CBI argues the trial court conducted a "mini-trial" at the charge-framing stage, which is legally impermissible. The agency contends that it has substantial evidence, including witness statements and digital records, that point to a clear conspiracy. The High Court has not only stayed the adverse remarks against the CBI and its officer but has also deferred parallel proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This ensures the money laundering case, which is based on the CBI's findings, awaits the outcome of this appeal. The case saw high-profile arrests and extended jail time for several AAP leaders before their discharge; Manish Sisodia was incarcerated for 530 days and Arvind Kejriwal for 156 days. The High Court has issued notices to all 23 discharged individuals to respond to the CBI's plea, with the next hearing scheduled for March 16, 2026.
