New Delhi: A special court in the national capital on Friday discharged all 23 accused in the high-profile excise policy corruption case, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The decision effectively closes the criminal proceedings initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over alleged irregularities linked to the Delhi government’s now-scrapped liquor policy.
The judge refused to frame charges against the accused, holding that the CBI’s chargesheet and evidence failed to establish a prima facie case to proceed to trial. The judge observed that the prosecution had not produced cogent material or credible evidence to support allegations of corruption or conspiracy and noted significant gaps in the agency’s investigation.
The court’s order stated that the evidence presented did not satisfy the basic legal threshold required to sustain prosecution and that serious allegations could not be based on inference or narrative alone, according to reports.
The excise policy case stems from a probe into alleged irregularities in the formulation, approval, and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy, initially introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and later scrapped amid controversy. The CBI had filed chargesheets claiming that certain provisions of the policy unjustly benefited some liquor vendors.
In addition to Kejriwal and Sisodia, the list of discharged accused included several aides and associates of AAP leaders who were named in the CBI’s charges.
“I have only earned honesty…”
After the court verdict, Kejriwal was visibly emotional, breaking down while speaking to reporters outside the Rouse Avenue Court. He described the verdict as vindication and proclaimed his and his party’s honesty.
“For the past few years, the way BJP has been accusing us in the Delhi excise policy case, today the court has rejected all the allegations levelled against us. We have always said that the truth wins… PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah conspired against AAP and arrested the party’s five biggest leaders. A sitting CM was arrested. We were accused and called corrupt in every channel. Kejriwal is not corrupt. I have only earned honesty. The court has said today that Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and AAP are honest,” he said. According to reports, Kejriwal will address a press conference later in the day.
Supporters and family members also welcomed the ruling. Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, said that the outcome showed that “truth always prevails,” reflecting the relief felt by his camp following the court’s decision.
