Legal Showdown 2026: CBI Challenges Arvind Kejriwal’s "Clean Chit" in High Court; Hearing Set

The "Liquor Scam" legal saga has entered its most critical phase in 2026. After a special court cleared former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia of all corruption charges last month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a massive 974-page legal counter-attack in the Delhi High Court.

AAP Liquor Scam Official Cases:

• Trial Court Case: CBI vs. Kuldeep Singh & Ors. (CBI Case No. 56/2022) at Rouse Avenue Court.

• High Court Appeal: CBI vs. Arvind Kejriwal & Ors. (CRL.REV.P. 182/2026).

• Key Date: The High Court hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2026, before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

The Ruling: The discharge order was passed in trial court on February 27, 2026, by Special Judge Jitendra Singh. Discharge included all 23 accused, stating the CBI failed to provide "prima facie" evidence of a conspiracy. The court called the investigation a "premeditated and choreographed exercise" and even recommended an inquiry against the lead investigating officer for procedural lapses.

Why was Kejriwal Discharged?

In his 598-page judgment, Judge Jitendra Singh pulled no punches. He ruled that the CBI’s case relied on "surmises and conjectures" rather than solid evidence. The court found no "prima facie" proof of a criminal conspiracy and famously remarked that the investigation appeared to be a "premeditated and choreographed exercise" to frame the accused without material facts.

The CBI’s Counter-Argument

The CBI’s revision petition calls the judge’s order "patently illegal." The agency argues that the judge conducted a "mini-trial" during the charge-framing stage, which is legally not allowed. They claim the court ignored "unimpeachable evidence" showing that policy changes were made specifically to generate kickbacks of nearly ₹100 crore.

What Comes Next?

On March 9, the High Court will decide whether to stay the discharge or uphold it. If the High Court accepts the CBI's petition, the trial will be revived, and the AAP leaders could face legal proceedings again. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case (ECIR/HIU-II/14/2022) remains a separate legal hurdle, though the CBI’s setback has significantly weakened the overall narrative against the AAP leadership.