Delhi High Court Reviews CBI Revision Plea Over Liquor Policy Scam Discharge of Kejriwal & Sisodia
The CBI has filed a revision petition challenging the blanket discharge of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 other accused in the alleged liquor policy case. The matter is before a bench of the Delhi High Court on 9 March 2026.
Key Developments (Live Updates)
- 11:33 AM – The bench, headed by Justice Swarna Kant Sharma, indicated it would pass an order, stay any adverse observations against the investigating agency, and defer the Enforcement Directorate (ED) trial to a later date.
- 11:30 AM – Counsel Mehta requested an early timetable, emphasizing that a stay on the judgment should not impede the ongoing ED proceedings.
Important Facts
- On 27 February 2026, Special Judge Jitendra Singh criticised the CBI for a “voluminous chargesheet” riddled with lacunae and ordered discharge of all accused.
- The chargesheet was described as lacking corroborative witness statements.
- The case also involves the ED, which has filed a separate prosecution for alleged predicate offences.
- The CBI’s revision plea seeks to overturn the discharge, arguing that the investigation was not fundamentally flawed and that the accused should face trial.
Exam Relevance
This development touches upon several GS topics: the functioning and accountability of investigative agencies (CBI), the role of the judiciary in supervising investigations (Delhi High Court), and the interplay between anti‑corruption mechanisms and financial crime enforcement (ED). Aspirants should note how procedural safeguards, such as revision petitions and stays, are used to balance investigative powers with legal rights.
Way Forward
The bench is expected to issue a detailed order within days. Possible outcomes include: (i) granting the CBI’s revision and ordering a fresh trial, (ii) upholding the discharge with a limited stay on the ED case, or (iii) directing a more rigorous re‑examination of the chargesheet. The decision will set a precedent for how high‑profile corruption cases are handled when investigative agencies face criticism for procedural lapses.