Excise Policy Case: CBI’s Challenge To Kejriwal, Sisodia Discharge Before Delhi High Court Tomorrow
Delhi High Court adjourned the CBI’s challenge against the discharge of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case to July 16
The Delhi High Court is set to hear on Tuesday the Central Bureau of Investigation’s petition challenging the discharge of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other accused in the corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
The matter will now be heard by Justice Manoj Jain after being transferred from the roster bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
The transfer comes in the backdrop of ongoing related proceedings, including contempt action initiated by Justice Sharma against several AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra, Durgesh Pathak and Saurabh Bharadwaj. The contempt proceedings, arising from alleged social media posts and videos concerning recusal-related issues, are also listed for hearing before a Division Bench headed by Justice Navin Chawla.
Earlier, Justice Sharma had rejected recusal pleas filed by Kejriwal and others, who had expressed apprehension of bias. She later decided to continue hearing the matter, prompting the accused to indicate that they would boycott proceedings before her.
The CBI’s revision petition challenges the trial court’s order dated February 27, which discharged all 23 accused in the case, including senior political leaders. The trial court had also made strong observations questioning aspects of the CBI’s investigation. In a detailed order, the court criticised the investigation conducted by the CBI, observing that the agency had implicated the accused without sufficient material. The judge noted that the voluminous chargesheet contained several lacunae and was not supported by witness statements or substantive evidence.
The case has seen significant legal and political developments over the past year, including arrests and prolonged custody of key accused during the 2024 Lok Sabha election cycle. Kejriwal was later granted bail by the Supreme Court after 156 days in custody, while Sisodia spent around 530 days in jail in connection with the matter.
The High Court had earlier observed that certain findings of the trial court appeared prima facie erroneous, leading to the CBI’s challenge in revision.
What has happened so far in the Delhi Excise policy case:
It is to be noted that Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia had written to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court, stating that he will not participate in further hearings in the matter, citing concerns over the “appearance of impartial justice” and invoking principles of conscience and Satyagraha. Sisodia’s letter follows a similar communication by Arvind Kejriwal a day earlier. Referring to it, Sisodia stated, “I have carefully considered the substance of that letter… I find myself in respectful agreement with the stand taken by him, which is based on Mahatma Gandhi's teachings on Satyagraha.”
Case Title: CBI v. Kuldeep Singh & Ors.
Bench: Justice Manoj Jain
Hearing Scheduled: May 19, 2026