New Delhi: In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) assured the Supreme Court on Tuesday of concluding their investigations and filing final charge sheets in the Delhi excise policy case by July 3. The assurance came following the court's observation that the trial in the case couldn't commence until the investigative agencies completed their probes. The court emphasized that directing a day-to-day trial without the investigations being concluded would be futile.
Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, citing the delay in trial commencement, had filed a bail plea. A vacation bench comprising justices Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta noted that the trial couldn't proceed until the investigative agencies concluded their probes and filed charge sheets. After the agencies committed to filing charge sheets by July 3, the bench disposed of Sisodia's bail plea, allowing him to renew it after the final charge sheets were filed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the agencies, requested the court to direct the trial court to conduct a day-to-day trial, highlighting the agencies' interest in an expeditious conclusion of the case. However, the court dismissed the plea, emphasizing the need for completing investigations first.
During the hearing, the court also observed the complexity of the case, involving multiple accused and ongoing investigations, making it difficult to attribute delays to either the accused or the prosecution. Blaming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for delays in the probe, SG Mehta noted that the AAP chief evaded ED summonses, leading to his eventual arrest on March 21. The case revolves around allegations of irregularities in Delhi's excise policy, prompting investigations by the CBI and ED. CBI has filed four charge sheets, while ED has filed eight, including one on May 17, naming AAP as an accused.
Several high-profile individuals, including Delhi CM Kejriwal and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator Kavitha, are currently incarcerated in connection with the case. The Delhi High Court had earlier denied bail to Sisodia, noting his alleged role in subverting the policy formulation process. The court criticized Sisodia for orchestrating a scheme to benefit select individuals, emphasizing the misuse of public power and breach of public trust. Despite Sisodia's efforts to secure bail, including appeals to the Supreme Court, his pleas were rejected, with the court granting him liberty to file a fresh application if trial proceedings faced further delays.
The case underscores the intricacies of the legal system and the challenges involved in ensuring timely justice delivery in complex cases involving allegations of corruption and misuse of public office.
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