Notice issued to Kejriwal, others in excise policy case

Issuing notice to Aravind Kejriwal and others, Delhi High Court on Monday issued interim stay on action against the CBI officer, ordered by the trial court in the discharge order in the excise policy case. Hearing the arguments of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Justice Swarana Kanta listed the CBI’s petition for hearing on March 16. The Enforcement Directorate has also approached the High Court to expunge observations made by a trial court regarding its money laundering investigation.

The court said it would pass an order asking the trial court to defer proceedings to a later date in the connected money laundering case probed by the Enforcement Directorate to await the outcome in the present matter. On a request made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the investigating agency, the court further indicated that it would stay the operation of the “prejudicial” remarks by the trial court on the CBI officials. Mehta urged the court to finally decide the CBI’s plea by fixing a time schedule for the hearing.

Mehta contended that the trial court order discharging Kejriwal and Sisodia in the excise policy case was perverse and “turned the criminal law on its head”. The excise policy case was one of the biggest scams and a clear case of corruption, he alleged. “This is one of the biggest scams in the history of the capital of this nation and therefore, a national shame. Scientific investigation is carried out,” Mehta submitted.

Asserting that the trial court passed an order of acquittal in favour of Kejriwal, Sisodia and others without a trial, Mehta argued that meticulous evidence was collected by the agency “cannot be brushed away”.