CBI Slams Delhi Court's Ruling on Kejriwal, Sisodia in Excise Policy Case, Calls It 'Patently Illegal'

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged the Delhi court's decision to discharge former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and 21 others in the excise policy case. In a 974-page petition filed with the Delhi High Court, the CBI argues that the special court's ruling was based on a 'selective reading' of the prosecution case and ignored key evidence showing the accused's culpability. The CBI claims that the special court conducted a 'mini-trial' by examining separate aspects of the conspiracy in isolation, rather than considering the accused's actions cumulatively. The agency also alleges that the special court 'misread' the facts and made 'incorrect findings' on the law of approvers and the evidentiary value of material. The CBI's challenge comes after the special court discharged Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others last week, citing a lack of cogent evidence against Kejriwal and no prima facie case against Sisodia and the other accused. The court had also rapped the CBI for lapses in the investigation. The CBI will present its case to the Delhi High Court on March 9. The agency argues that the special court's ruling was 'patently illegal' and 'perverse,' and that the court's failure to appreciate the facts of the case has led to 'adverse remarks' against the investigating agency and its officer. The CBI maintains that the conspiracy in the excise policy case revolves around the actions of multiple accused, which, when considered cumulatively, reveal a clear conspiracy to monetize the policy. However, the special court ignored this cumulative evidence and instead focused on individual contradictions, the CBI claims. The CBI's petition highlights the alleged corruption at the highest levels of executive and argues that the special court's ruling was based on 'incorrect conclusions' and 'misreading' of the facts. The agency also claims that the ruling violates the Supreme Court's guidelines at the stage of charge. The Delhi High Court will now consider the CBI's petition and decide whether to uphold or quash the special court's ruling.