Delhi HC Stays Trial Court Order Against CBI Officer in Excise Policy Case

Delhi HC Stays Trial Court Order Against CBI Officer in Excise Policy Case

The Delhi High Court on Monday put a stay on a trial court order directing departmental action against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer who investigated the Delhi excise policy case.

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma heard the appeal filed by the CBI challenging the discharge order. Since no one appeared on behalf of the respondents, the court has issued notice to them.

The court said that it will issue an order asking the trial court to postpone the proceedings to a later date in the money laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. The matter is listed for hearing on March 16.

On February 27th, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others, observing that there was no criminal intent in the formulation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

However, the CBI contended that the trial court’s order is illegal, saying that the court only read the prosecution’s case and ignored other important material that showed the accused might be guilty.

During the hearing before the High Court, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, said that the excise policy case was one of the biggest scams, and the trial court acquitted the case without a trial. He said that the case involved bribe payments funnelled through hawala channels.

The High Court will now examine the CBI’s plea challenging the discharge order.