The Delhi High Court on Monday heard the CBI’s challenge to the discharge of AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak in the Delhi excise policy case, with the hearing witnessing a sharp exchange over repeated adjournments and the time sought by the accused to respond to the CBI’s submissions.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, opposed the request by the accused for four weeks’ time to file their replies. He submitted that the Court had already granted them a final opportunity on July 16 and described the request for another four weeks as a “childish way to get the matter adjourned.”

Mehta also pointed out that the respondents were relying on an order which, according to him, did not justify seeking further time. He submitted that the CBI had been waiting to advance its case and that the proceedings should not be delayed any further.

Appearing for Arvind Kejriwal, Senior Advocate N. Hariharan submitted that the CBI’s written submissions ran into 103 pages and contained several additional grounds, requiring adequate time for a response. Senior Advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Manish Sisodia, similarly submitted that the grounds in the CBI’s revision petition were generic and that its scope had subsequently been expanded.

Justice Manoj Jain, however, made it clear that the matter would not be heard in a piecemeal manner. The Court stated that the arguments would be heard “in one go”, rather than deciding different issues separately.

The Court ultimately granted Kejriwal, Sisodia and others one final opportunity to file their replies within four weeks. It made clear that there would be no further adjournments and fixed October 5 and 6, 2026 for commencement of arguments, with the prosecution to begin its submissions.

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