New Delhi, March 9 The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, and 21 others to a petition filed by the CBI challenging the trial court's order discharging them in the liquor policy case.
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma listed the CBI's petition for hearing on March 16.
The court said it would pass an order asking the trial court to defer proceedings in the related money laundering case, being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, to a later date.
In response to a request from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the court further indicated that it would stay the operation of the "prejudicial" remarks made by the trial court against CBI officials.
Mehta urged the court to finally decide the CBI's plea by setting a schedule for hearings.
He contended that the trial court's order discharging Kejriwal and Sisodia in the excise policy case was perverse and "turned criminal law on its head."
He alleged that the excise policy case was one of the biggest scams and a clear case of corruption.
Asserting that the trial court had acquitted Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others without a trial, Mehta contended that the agency had collected meticulous evidence to show a conspiracy and bribery related to a manipulated liquor policy.
He added that there was sufficient evidence against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and the other accused to frame charges, and that the CBI's case was supported by approvers and witnesses.
On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others, criticizing the CBI's case, saying it was wholly unable to withstand judicial scrutiny and was discredited in its entirety.
Among the 21 individuals given a clean chit in the case is K Kavitha, President of Telangana Jagruthi.
The CBI has been investigating alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped excise policy of the erstwhile AAP government.
