In a fresh development in the Delhi liquor policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Durgesh Pathak has declined to appear before Justice Kanta Sharma. This follows similar refusals by party convenor Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.
Case Background
Pathak, along with Sisodia and Kejriwal, is a party to a revision plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The plea challenges their discharge in the liquor policy case, which pertains to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy of the Delhi government.
Legal Proceedings
The CBI had moved the revision petition before Justice Kanta Sharma, seeking to overturn the trial court's order that discharged the three AAP leaders. The agency contends that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial. However, the accused have consistently maintained that the case is politically motivated and lacks merit.
Pathak's refusal to appear comes as a surprise to many, as he had previously cooperated with the investigation. His legal team is expected to file a formal response outlining the reasons for his non-appearance. Sources suggest that the party may be adopting a unified legal strategy, given the similar stance taken by Kejriwal and Sisodia.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for next week, where the court may consider the implications of the repeated non-appearances by the accused. Legal experts opine that such actions could potentially lead to contempt proceedings if not properly justified.
