Delhi Excise policy case: Court hears arguments on charges, counsels press for postponement

The Rouse Avenue Court heard arguments from the CBI regarding charges in the Delhi Excise policy case. During the hearing, counsels for the accused strongly opposed the start of argument charges and even left the court without permission, although they later apologized. One of the accused also requested a postponement of the hearing on charges. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of the counsels, questioning their right to walk out during the hearing. The court adjourned the hearing until May 7 after hearing submissions from the Public Prosecutor (PP) CBI, instructing the CBI to prepare a table of allegations and statements for the arguments. The court also asked the CBI to respond to the plea, with the matter scheduled for May 7.

According to the previous court order, the accused were given the liberty to raise the issue if any other accused is arrested and a supplementary charge sheet is filed. K Kavita was arrested in this case following the court’s order. Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj argued that, in light of the court’s previous order, the arguments on the charge should be postponed. Advocate Sumer Boparai raised concerns about the ongoing investigation and the possibility of a supplementary charge sheet being filed in favor of the accused. The court inquired about the availability of copies of the supplementary charge sheet not yet supplied to the accused, specifically related to K Kavitha. The court stated that the decision on the application would be made after receiving the CBI’s response.

Meanwhile, the court instructed the CBI’s counsel to commence arguments on charges. CBI Public Prosecutor Pankaj Gupta briefed the court on the case’s facts, referring to Dinesh Arora’s statement regarding a meeting in a Hyderabad hotel attended by other accused. At the meeting, it was decided to transfer a certain amount, and a significant sum was paid in cash through hawala channels to an accused. CBI submitted that Sameer Mahendru was the controlling person of Indo Spirit.