The Delhi High Court declined to stay the trial proceedings against former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal in connection with alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi Excise Policy. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri also sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding Kejriwal’s plea challenging a trial court’s order that took cognizance of the chargesheet.
Kejriwal argued that the special court took cognizance without sanction for prosecution, required as he was a public servant at the time of the alleged offense. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, countered that the necessary sanction had been obtained and sought time to file a reply.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 20. While Kejriwal requested an urgent stay, the High Court refused, stating that proceedings could not be halted at this stage.
The case stems from allegations of corruption and irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy implemented in November 2021 and later scrapped in September 2022. Both the CBI and ED allege that undue favors were granted to license holders during the policy’s implementation.
Kejriwal, who had previously been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the money laundering and related CBI cases, continues to challenge the proceedings, asserting that the charges are baseless and politically motivated.
