Excise Case: Delhi HC Refuses To Stay Kejriwal Trial

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay for now the trial proceedings against former Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal who is an accused in a case of irregularities linked to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri further sought a response from the investigating agency Enforcement Directorate on Kejriwal's plea challenging a trial court's order taking cognisance of a chargesheet in the case. The matter will be heard on December 20.

Kejriwal sought setting aside of the trial court order and argued cognisance of the chargesheet was taken by the special court in the absence of any sanction for his prosecution as he was a public servant when the alleged offence was committed. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, submitted a sanction was obtained to prosecute Kejriwal and he would be filing an affidavit. The former CM sought an early date of hearing when the court initially posted the hearing next year and his counsel insisted an order on his plea for a stay be passed during the day on account of urgency.