The Delhi High Court on Tuesday indicated that it will appoint three senior advocates as amici curiae to assist the Court in the high-profile Delhi Excise Policy case involving former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other accused.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the direction while hearing a revision plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the discharge of Kejriwal and others. The development came after Kejriwal, along with AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak, chose to boycott the proceedings before the Court.

“I will appoint a senior advocate as amicus… It will be appropriate that I hear CBI arguments once the amicus is appointed,” Justice Sharma observed, adding that the appointments will be made on the next date of hearing, Friday.

The case stems from a 2022 FIR registered by the CBI alleging irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22. According to the agency, the policy was manipulated to enable cartelisation and monopolisation in the liquor trade, with alleged kickbacks flowing to AAP leaders.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), intensifying the legal battle.

On February 27, a trial court discharged Kejriwal and 22 other accused, including Sisodia, Pathak, Vijay Nair, Arun Pillai, and Chanpreet Singh Rayat. The CBI challenged this order before the High Court.

Earlier, on March 9, Justice Sharma issued notice on the CBI’s plea, stayed certain directions issued against the investigating officer, and prima facie observed that some findings of the trial court appeared erroneous. The Court also directed deferment of related PMLA proceedings.

Kejriwal and other accused had sought Justice Sharma’s recusal from the case, which was rejected on April 20. The Court held that such a plea effectively puts the judiciary on trial and cannot be entertained merely on apprehensions raised by political figures.

Following the rejection, Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Pathak decided to abstain from participating in further hearings before Justice Sharma.

The appointment of amici curiae is expected to assist the Court in independently examining the legal and factual issues raised in the CBI’s challenge. The matter is now slated for further hearing later this week.