New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will “immediately” file an appeal in the Delhi High Court against a trial court ruling that cleared Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, along with 21 others, in the Delhi excise policy case, officials said Friday.
According to news agencies, the move comes after the Rouse Avenue Court rejected the CBI chargesheet, finding insufficient evidence for any central conspiracy by AAP leaders. It held that the allegations did not hold up to review, with no criminal intent shown in Sisodia’s actions and the conspiracy claim unsustainable against a constitutional officeholder.
CBI sources told PTI the trial court did not fully consider several probe elements. In arguments, representatives including Additional Solicitor General D P Singh and advocate Manu Mishra stressed that criminal conspiracy requires viewing the full evidence, to be tested properly at trial. They maintained there was enough material to charge all accused.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh, however, pointed to investigative shortcomings and suggested a departmental inquiry for the officer in-charge. The court found no solid evidence against Kejriwal and no prima facie case against Sisodia or others. “The chargesheet has internal contradictions that undermine the conspiracy theory,” the judge stated, noting the absence of any overarching conspiracy or criminal purpose in the now-scrapped policy.
The ruling also questioned the agency’s heavy reliance on statements from pardoned approvers. “Such an approach would violate constitutional principles,” it cautioned, opposing the use of turned witnesses to bridge gaps and add names.
The case started with the CBI’s first chargesheet in 2022, followed by supplements alleging a “south lobby” paid Rs 100 crore to favourably influence the AAP government’s excise policy. In all, 23 accused were named, including Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Telangana Jagruti president K Kavitha, who was also discharged.
After the order, an emotional Kejriwal stated he and Sisodia were “honest” as per the judge’s words. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of a political conspiracy to end AAP, a charge the BJP has repeatedly denied.
