The Delhi High Court on Monday, August 17, 2026, granted four weeks to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other respondents to file their replies to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s challenge against their discharge in the Delhi excise policy case.
Justice Manoj Jain made it clear that the matter would thereafter be heard comprehensively, without being split into separate stages.
Background of the Case
The CBI has challenged the February 27, 2026 order of the Special Judge, Rouse Avenue Courts, by which all 23 accused were discharged in the case.
The respondents have raised preliminary objections questioning the maintainability of the CBI’s revision petition. They have also alleged that the CBI filed the revision within about four hours of the trial court’s detailed discharge order and failed to identify specific findings showing illegality or perversity.
The respondents also objected to additional written submissions filed by the CBI running into 103 pages, stating that they contained grounds not specifically pleaded in the original revision petition.
Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari argued that the maintainability objection went to the root of the matter and should be decided before the Court considered the merits. He also questioned the competence of the Investigating Officer to institute the revision petition.
The CBI opposed the objections. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta maintained that the grounds raised in the additional written submissions were not new.
Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for Kejriwal, sought an opportunity to respond to the additional material.
After hearing the parties, Justice Jain granted four weeks to all respondents to file their replies. The Court also made clear that the proceedings would not be conducted in a piecemeal manner.
The Bench observed,
“Arguments will be heard comprehensively. No piecemeal hearing. Arguments will be heard in one go.”
The Court directed that the CBI would begin its arguments during the week commencing October 5. October 5 and 6 were specifically fixed for commencement of the prosecution’s submissions.
The Court further clarified that no further adjournments would be granted after the four-week period and directed that the interim order already operating in the matter would continue.
Court’s Decision
The Delhi High Court granted four weeks to the respondents to file their replies and preliminary objections. It fixed October 5 and 6 for commencement of arguments by the CBI and directed that the matter would be heard comprehensively without further adjournments.
Case Details
- Case Title: Central Bureau of Investigation v. Kuldeep Singh & Ors.
- Case Number: CRL.REV.P.-134/2026 and connected petitions
- Judge: Justice Manoj Jain
- Decision Date: August 17, 2026
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