Delhi High Court Issues Notice to Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday has issued a notice to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while hearing a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order that had discharged him in a case related to summons issued in the Delhi excise policy matter. The case was heard by a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, which has scheduled the next hearing for April 29.

On January 22, the Rouse Avenue Court had discharged Kejriwal in the case. The ED has now challenged that order in the High Court. The case relates to complaints filed by the ED alleging non-compliance with summons issued to Kejriwal for questioning before his arrest. The agency had filed two complaints accusing him of not appearing despite being summoned.

Separately, in a case linked to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the same excise policy matter, the Rouse Avenue Court on February 27 had ordered the discharge of Kejriwal along with 23 other accused. This decision has also been challenged by the CBI before the Delhi High Court.

Notably, The High Court had earlier stayed adverse remarks made by the trial court against the CBI in its order. In the broader excise policy case, the ED had arrested Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on October 4, 2024, following questioning at his official residence. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the ED on March 9, 2023, after questioning in Tihar Jail, after being initially arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023.All accused in the case, including Kejriwal, Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have since been granted bail.