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I. Introduction The Delhi High Court recently granted time to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 22 other accused persons to file their replies to an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging their discharge in the controversial Delhi Excise Policy case . The High Court bench presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma fixed April 6 as the next date of hearing while granting the accused time until April 5 to submit their responses. The case has evolved into a complex legal dispute involving criminal procedure, judicial review of discharge orders, investigative accountability, and procedural challenges before higher courts . II. Background of the Delhi Excise Policy Case The case arises from alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 , which was introduced by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Investigating agencies alleged that the policy led to undue advantages...

I. INTRODUCTION The appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) before the Delhi High Court challenging the discharge of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the Delhi excise policy case raises significant questions about criminal procedure, judicial discretion at the stage of charge, and the limits of judicial scrutiny before trial. The Special Judge, Jitendra Singh, in an order dated February 27, discharged all 23 accused persons, holding that the material on record did not disclose even a prima facie case, much less a grave suspicion. The CBI has described this order as “patently illegal” and has alleged that the judge conducted a “mini trial” at the stage of framing of charge. This controversy brings into focus the statutory framework under the Code of Criminal Procedure, constitutional protections, and binding judicial precedents governing discharge and framing of charges. II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND A. The 2...

I. Case Background In a significant development in the Delhi excise policy investigation, 23 accused persons — including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Telangana politician K. Kavitha and AAP leader Vijay Nair — were discharged by Special Judge Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi, in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case relating to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered an FIR in August 2022 alleging criminal conspiracy and corruption in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22. Three charge sheets were filed, with the second naming Kejriwal. The CBI alleged that ₹100 crore was paid by a so-called “south lobby” to influence the excise policy in favour of certain private players. Charges invoked included criminal conspiracy, cheating, destruction of evidence and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, the trial co...

Understanding the Supreme Court's Decision in the Manish Sisodia vs Directorate of Enforcement Case Introduction The Supreme Court of India recently made a big decision in the case of Manish Sisodia vs. the Directorate of Enforcement. Let's break down what happened, why it matters, and what the court decided about Manish Sisodia's bail request related to the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. Background of the Case It all started when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a report on August 17, 2022, followed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on August 22, 2022. These reports were about alleged issues with the Delhi Excise Policy. Manish Sisodia, a well-known political figure, was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and then by the ED on March 9, 2023. After his arrest, Sisodia asked for bail, but the Delhi High Court said no, so he went to the Supreme Court. Legal Proceedings and Arguments In the Supreme Court, there were two main appeals against the Del...