Major Relief for AAP: Court Clears Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in Liquor Policy Case
Massive legal win for AAP! Delhi court discharges Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case, citing a lack of evidence by the CBI. Read the full verdict here.
Rajeev
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi passed the historic order today, discharging all 23 accused, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and BRS leader K. Kavitha.
Key Highlights from the Court’s Order:
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Lack of Material Evidence: The court flagged that the CBI could not provide sufficient material to support the "central conspiratorial role" attributed to Arvind Kejriwal.
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No Criminal Intent: The judge ruled that there was no overarching criminal conspiracy found in the scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.
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Censure of Investigative Agencies: The court expressed displeasure over the use of terms like "South Group," noting that such labels were unsupported and unnecessary.
"Serious allegations must be supported with material. Public confidence in high office is affected when prosecution claims are found to be unsupported by evidence."
— Special Judge Jitender Singh
Timeline of the Delhi Excise Policy Case
To understand the magnitude of this relief, here is a breakdown of the case's progression since its inception:
| Date | Key Event |
| Nov 2021 | AAP Government launches the New Excise Policy 2021-22. |
| July 2022 | Delhi LG VK Saxena recommends a CBI probe into alleged irregularities. |
| Feb 2023 | Manish Sisodia is arrested by the CBI. |
| March 2024 | Arvind Kejriwal is arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). |
| Aug-Sept 2024 | Both leaders are granted bail by the Supreme Court on "right to liberty" grounds. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Court discharges all accused, citing no evidence of a scam. |
Political Impact: A Rebirth for AAP?
This verdict comes as a massive moral and political booster for the Aam Aadmi Party, especially as Delhi prepares for upcoming administrative shifts.
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Vindication of Stand: AAP has consistently maintained that the case was a "political witch hunt" designed to stall Delhi’s progress.
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Leadership Stability: With the legal shadow lifted, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are likely to return to active governance and campaigning with renewed vigor.
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Pressure on Central Agencies: The court's sharp remarks on the CBI's failure to provide evidence put the spotlight back on the functioning of federal investigative agencies.
What Happens Next?
While the CBI case is closed by the trial court, the legal process allows for an appeal in higher courts (High Court or Supreme Court). However, as of today, the Aam Aadmi Party is celebrating a "Victory of Truth."
