Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia have been acquitted in the high-profile Delhi liquor excise policy case. The Rouse Avenue Court found no evidence against the two leaders, granting them a major reprieve.
The court emphasized the importance of a fair investigation for a fair trial, stating that the prosecution failed to substantiate its allegations. Specifically regarding Sisodia, the court mentioned that the charges by the CBI lacked merit, no criminal conspiracy was proven, and the prosecution failed to make its case.
The decision follows the court reserving its verdict on February 12 after detailed arguments from both the CBI and the defense. Kejriwal and Sisodia, along with 21 others, were accused in the case. Kejriwal was Delhi Chief Minister and Sisodia his deputy when the matter came to light.
The CBI had filed its initial charge sheet in 2022 and subsequent supplementary charge sheets, alleging a payment of around Rs 100 crore by a “south lobby” to influence the now-cancelled excise policy. Despite CBI’s arguments that there was enough material for charges, the court found the evidence insufficient, leading to the acquittal of Kejriwal and Sisodia.
This judgment provides legal relief for the Aam Aadmi Party leaders, concluding a lengthy investigation that had been under judicial review for years. The excise policy was annulled in 2022 following a CBI probe ordered by the L-G into alleged irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution.
