The Delhi High Court has granted a major relief to central investigating agencies in the liquor policy scam case, which allegedly occurred during the previous Aam Aadmi Party government led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. The court has temporarily stayed the comments made in the trial court’s order granting relief to several accused.
In issuing this order, a bench of Justice Swarn Kanta of the Delhi High Court directed the trial court not to proceed with the PMLA case related to money laundering. The court stated that the trial court proceedings will remain suspended until the hearing on the CBI’s petition in the case is completed in the High Court.
The court has issued notices to all the accused who received relief from the trial court in the case, seeking their responses. The next hearing in the case will be held on March 16.
This case relates to an alleged scam related to the former Delhi government’s excise policy. The CBI has challenged in the High Court the trial court’s order that granted relief to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and other accused.
During the hearing in the High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, strongly objected to the trial court’s order.
Mehta stated that this case is one of the biggest scams in the country. He called it a “national shame.” He stated that the previous Delhi government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, deliberately changed the excise policy to benefit certain businessmen.
He told the court that the investigation has revealed indications of money transactions through hawala and that the entire case appears to be part of a larger conspiracy.
During the hearing, the Solicitor General questioned the trial court’s order, stating that it was as if the accused had been acquitted without trial.
According to him, the investigation has revealed clear indications of bribery, scientific evidence, and statements from several witnesses. He stated that speedy justice is crucial in criminal cases, but a hasty decision can lead to misdirection of justice.
Mehta informed the court that hawala-related notes were recovered from the mobile phones of the accused. He also claimed that attempts to destroy evidence were uncovered during the investigation, and that over a hundred mobile phones were destroyed.
During the hearing, the court asked the CBI who the independent witnesses in the case were. Mehta stated that PW-20 (Prosecution Witness-20) is a key witness, and hotel records have also emerged as crucial evidence in the investigation.
Mehta stated that in such cases, investigating agencies are often accused of political vendetta, but in this case, statements of several witnesses have been recorded before a magistrate under Section 164. These statements reveal details of the alleged conspiracy, money transactions, and bribery.
During the hearing, the High Court also noted that some of the comments made in the trial court’s order appear to be factually incorrect at first glance. The court indicated that a detailed investigation and review of the legal aspects of the entire matter is necessary.
Following the High Court’s order, the trial court’s ongoing money laundering proceedings have been temporarily halted, and all parties are now looking forward to the next hearing on March 16th.