New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): The Delhi High Court afforded all 23 accused, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, time to reply to the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) petition contesting their discharge in the Delhi excise policy scam, scheduling the next hearing for April 6 before Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma's bench.
During proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed that notices and copies had been served, noting no responses yet; Kejriwal's counsel N. Hariharan cited a Supreme Court plea for bench transfer, which Mehta dismissed as insufficient grounds for adjournment, urging swift listing. Hariharan countered the discharge favored CBI, prompting the court to mandate replies.
The High Court had issued notices on March 9, stayed trial court strictures against CBI, and halted related money laundering proceedings at Rouse Avenue.
Rouse Avenue Court on February 27 discharged all accused, citing charge sheet inconsistencies mismatched with witness statements; Manish Sisodia endured 530 days incarceration, Kejriwal 156 days intermittently, securing CBI regular bail September 13, 2024 post-arrest June 26.
Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal March 21, 2024, filing a sixth supplementary charge sheet May 10 naming BRS leader K. Kavitha among others, with Supreme Court granting interim relief July 12 before his June 2 surrender.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
