The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak a final opportunity to file their responses in a corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
The court directed the three leaders to submit their responses within two weeks to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) petition challenging a lower court's decision acquitting them in the case.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, requested the Delhi High Court to hear the matter at an early date. He told the court that the accused had already been given several opportunities to file their responses, but the process had not yet been completed.
The CBI submitted that the delay was affecting the judicial process and that an early hearing was therefore necessary.
Justice Manoj Jain said that, in the interest of justice, the accused were being given one final opportunity to file their responses. The court clarified that the accused could submit their responses within the next two weeks if they wished to do so.
During Thursday's hearing, no lawyer could appear on behalf of the acquitted accused due to a strike by Delhi High Court lawyers. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing.
The matter has now been listed for hearing the CBI's arguments on August 17 and 18.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had requested the court to schedule the hearing for the end of July or the beginning of August instead of later in August. Justice Manoj Jain said several important matters involving Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies were already pending before him, making it difficult to accommodate an immediate hearing. However, he said the possibility of advancing the dates could be considered.
The case relates to the Delhi government's 2021-22 excise policy. Investigating agencies have alleged that irregularities occurred in the formulation and implementation of the policy and that undue benefits were extended to certain individuals.
The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have investigated several political leaders and businessmen in connection with the case. The Aam Aadmi Party has consistently described the allegations as a political conspiracy.
On February 27, 2026, a Delhi lower court acquitted Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 other accused in the case. In its decision, the court said that the evidence presented by the prosecution was not found sufficient to meet the standards of judicial scrutiny. The CBI subsequently challenged the decision before the Delhi High Court.
On March 9, 2026, the CBI approached the Delhi High Court against the lower court's decision. While hearing the matter, the High Court stayed the portion of the lower court's order that had recommended departmental action against the CBI investigating officer.
Subsequently, during the proceedings, disputes also emerged between AAP leaders and the court over several issues.
