New Delhi–Excise Policy Case: In a landmark legal development that has sent shockwaves through India’s political landscape, the Rouse Avenue Court today discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the high-profile Delhi Excise Policy corruption case.
The verdict, delivered by Special Judge Jitendra Singh, concluded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to provide prima facie evidence of a criminal conspiracy. The decision has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav leading a fierce opposition charge, calling the judgment a “moral death sentence” for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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The Court’s Verdict: “No Criminal Intent” Found
The Rouse Avenue Court’s decision to discharge all 23 accused-including BRS leader K. Kavitha and AAP’s Vijay Nair-marks a significant blow to the CBI’s three-year-long investigation on Excise Policy Case.
In a scathing assessment, Judge Singh noted that the prosecution’s narrative was built on “conjecture” rather than concrete evidence. The court highlighted several critical flaws in the CBI’s case:
- Lack of Evidence: The court ruled that the “central conspiratorial role” attributed to Kejriwal and Sisodia could not be substantiated.
- Administrative vs. Criminal: Regarding Sisodia, the judge stated that the records reflected “administrative deliberations” and institutional policy-making rather than a criminal plot.
- CBI Methods Criticized: The judge slammed the agency for its reliance on “misleading projections” and the use of approver statements to “fill gaps” in the probe.
- Departmental Inquiry: In a rare move, the court recommended a departmental inquiry against certain CBI officials for naming public servant Kuldeep Singh as an accused without sufficient material.
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Akhilesh Yadav’s Scathing Attack: “A Moral Death Sentence
Reacting to the verdict of on Excise Policy Case X (formerly Twitter), Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav did not mince words, framing the acquittal as a historic victory for “truth and justice.”
“No allegation can overshadow the truth forever,” Yadav posted. “This decision is a moral death sentence for the BJP, which has consistently used central agencies to defame and suppress political opponents. The people of Delhi and India have seen through this betrayal.”
Yadav’s comments reflect a growing narrative within the opposition bloc, suggesting that the “liquor scam” was a politically manufactured crisis designed to dismantle the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and intimidate its leadership.
Kejriwal Breaks Down: “I Am Not Corrupt”
The atmosphere outside the court was electric as a visibly emotional Arvind Kejriwal addressed the media. The AAP National Convener, who had spent months in custody during the investigation, broke down while asserting his innocence.
“Today, the court has proven that Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are ‘Kattar Imaandar’ (stanchly honest),” Kejriwal said, wiping away tears. He described the excise case as the “biggest political conspiracy in the history of Independent India,” aimed at stopping the work his government was doing for the poor.
BJP’s Counter: “The Legal Process is Far from Over”
Despite the trial court’s stinging rebuke, the BJP remained defiant. National IT Chief Amit Malviya and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasized that the discharge came from a lower court and would likely be challenged.
“The legal process is far from over,” Malviya posted. He questioned why the AAP government rolled back the policy if there was no wrongdoing and pointed to past “damning observations” by higher courts. The CBI has already confirmed it will move the Delhi High Court, arguing that crucial aspects of the investigation were ignored.
Timeline of the Delhi Excise Policy Case
TheExcise Policy Case, which reshaped Delhi’s political hierarchy, followed a long and winding road:
- July 2022: Delhi Chief Secretary reports alleged procedural lapses; LG V.K. Saxena recommends a CBI probe.
- August 2022: CBI registers FIR; Manish Sisodia’s residence is raided.
- February 2023: Manish Sisodia is arrested by the CBI.
- March 2024: Arvind Kejriwal is arrested by the ED, and later by the CBI in June 2024.
- February 27, 2026: Rouse Avenue Court discharges all accused due to lack of evidence.
What This Means for 2026 Politics
This verdict provides a massive “moral booster” to the opposition. For AAP, it is a chance to reclaim the narrative of “clean politics” ahead of crucial elections. For the BJP, the court’s criticism of the CBI adds fuel to the “misuse of agencies” allegation that has become a rallying cry for the INDIA bloc.
While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case involving money laundering still technically exists, the collapse of the CBI’s predicate offense (corruption) creates a significant legal hurdle for the federal agency moving forward.
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