All 23 accused, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, acquitted

Delhi court verdict in the Delhi Excise Policy case

New Delhi – A Delhi court has acquitted all 23 accused in the Delhi Excise Policy case, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Delivering its verdict, the court held that the prosecution had failed to establish any larger conspiracy or criminal intent in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy.

The court observed that the case did not withstand judicial scrutiny and that the Central Bureau of Investigation had attempted to build a case of conspiracy largely on conjectures and assumptions. It noted that, prima facie, no credible evidence had been produced to prove the guilt of any of the 23 accused.

Criticising the investigative process, the court remarked that permitting such a course of action would amount to a serious violation of constitutional safeguards. It stated that granting pardon to an accused, converting them into an approver, and then relying on their statements to fill gaps in the investigation or to rope in additional persons was legally unsustainable.

The court also directed that a departmental inquiry be initiated against the concerned CBI officials for lapses in the investigation.

“Truth has triumphed” – Arvind Kejriwal

Reacting to the verdict, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Truth has triumphed. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah hatched the biggest political conspiracy and sent five senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party to jail. For the first time in the history of independent India, a sitting Chief Minister was put behind bars. Manish Sisodia was kept in jail for two years. I was branded as corrupt, but I am not corrupt.”

He further stated, “A false case was filed against me. Do not play with the country and the Constitution for the sake of power. Instead of registering false cases, win power through good governance and public service.”

What is the Delhi Excise Policy case ?

In November 2021, the then Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi introduced a new excise policy regulating the sale of liquor. In June 2022, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee alleged a ₹100 crore scam in the implementation of the policy. In July 2022, the then Chief Secretary of Delhi flagged alleged irregularities in the policy.

Subsequently, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI probe into the matter. The Enforcement Directorate also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and initiated a parallel investigation. Several individuals were arrested during the course of the investigation, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.