ED Challenges Arvind Kejriwal's Acquittal in Excise Policy Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed pleas with the Delhi High Court to challenge the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two cases. The agency alleges that Kejriwal intentionally disobeyed five summonses issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act during an investigation into the now-scrapped 2022 Delhi excise policy. A trial court had previously acquitted Kejriwal on January 22, 2026, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove deliberate disobedience.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued a fresh notice to Kejriwal on April 1, 2026, after noting his absence despite advance notice and ordered the production of trial court records. In a related matter, the ED sought to expunge adverse remarks made by a trial court in a February 27 order that discharged 23 individuals, including Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. The ED characterized these observations as "judicial overreach" and "unwarranted," claiming the agency was not given a fair opportunity to be heard.

On April 2, Justice Sharma granted Kejriwal and other respondents a final opportunity to file replies to the plea regarding the expunged remarks. The court warned that failure to do so by April 22 would result in the respondents' right to reply being closed. These proceedings run parallel to a separate challenge by the Central Bureau of Investigation against the discharge of accused individuals in the same liquor policy corruption case.