CBI Challenges Court Order Discharging Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an urgent revision petition with the Delhi High Court to challenge the discharge of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in a corruption case involving the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. On February 27, 2026, Special Judge Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court dismissed all charges, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy.

Judge Singh described the CBI's investigation as neither objective nor impartial, stating the prosecution's narrative relied on conjectures and hearsay. The 600-page judgment criticized the agency's use of uncorroborated approver statements and recommended a departmental inquiry into the naming of public servant Kuldeep Singh as the primary accused. Following the ruling, Arvind Kejriwal called the case a political conspiracy.

In its 974-page appeal, the CBI argues the discharge is patently illegal and perverse. The agency contends that Judge Singh conducted an unauthorized mini-trial by dissecting evidence in isolation rather than considering the cumulative effect of the investigation. The CBI is also seeking to stay the trial court's direction for departmental action against its investigating officer. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma is scheduled to hear the plea on March 9, 2026.

While BJP MP Manoj Tiwari questioned why the policy was withdrawn if it was legal, suggesting the High Court could overturn the decision, the discharged defendants maintain the case was fabricated.