Delhi Liquor Policy Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a revision petition in the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that discharged all 23 accused persons, including prominent political figures Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and K Kavitha, in the alleged Delhi liquor policy case. On February 27, the trial court had discharged the individuals, heavily criticising the CBI's investigation and stating that the case could not survive judicial scrutiny due to a lack of sufficient material and evidence.

The CBI challenged the discharge order within four hours of its issuance, prompting objections from the discharged leaders who argued that the revision petition was filed with unprecedented haste and without appreciating the 500-page trial court order. During the proceedings, some accused leaders sought the recusal of the presiding High Court judge citing apprehension of bias. When the recusal pleas were dismissed, certain leaders and politicians indicated they would boycott proceedings, leading the judge to initiate criminal contempt proceedings and transfer the case to another bench.

The case subsequently came before Justice Manoj Jain. The High Court granted a final opportunity to the unrepresented and absent respondents to file their replies to the CBI's petition. The investigating agency, represented by the Solicitor General, urged the court for an expedited hearing, arguing that the case involved a serious scam in the capital and had been significantly delayed, while defence counsel raised preliminary objections regarding the maintainability of the petition.

Not yet reported: The articles do not detail the specific financial transactions or mechanisms of how the alleged liquor policy scam was executed.