Delhi excise policy case: CBI to approach Delhi High Court against relief granted to Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday decided to challenge in the Delhi High Court the lower court's decision to acquit former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case.
The CBI's decision comes after the Rouse Avenue Court here discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 other accused in the alleged corruption case related to the excise policy. Special Judge Jitendra Singh had refused to frame charges against any of the individuals named in the charge sheet.
A CBI spokesperson claimed that the lower court ignored several crucial aspects of their investigation. Given this, the CBI will appeal this decision in the High Court.
Earlier, the court had stated in its decision that the CBI had accused these senior leaders without any "concrete material." The court pointed out several flaws in the chargesheet. It categorically stated that there was no prima facie case against Sisodia and that Kejriwal had been implicated in the case without sufficient evidence. The court also reprimanded the investigating agency for shortcomings in the investigation.
Following the court's verdict, Kejriwal expressed confidence in the judiciary and called the case a "political conspiracy" to weaken his party. Sisodia said the verdict reaffirmed his faith in the Constitution and the rule of law.