New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday acquitted former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the case linked to the now scrapped excise policy, bringing major relief to the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party.
While delivering its verdict, the court observed that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent behind the formulation of the liquor policy. It held that the prosecution failed to establish allegations of corruption or wrongdoing and concluded that the case lacked substantive evidence to support the charges.
The case stemmed from the excise policy introduced by the Delhi government during the 2021 to 2022 period. The policy was projected as a reform aimed at increasing revenue, improving transparency, and modernising liquor retail in the national capital. However, amid mounting political controversy and investigations, the government eventually withdrew the policy, triggering a prolonged legal and political battle.
The proceedings proved to be a challenging phase for the party leadership, as both Kejriwal and Sisodia faced sustained scrutiny while holding office. The case significantly impacted the political narrative in Delhi, with the opposition alleging large scale irregularities, claims that were consistently denied by the AAP leadership.
Reacting after the verdict, Kejriwal said the judgment reaffirmed his long held belief that facts and truth would prevail. He recalled the personal and political toll of the case, stating that the accusations had caused deep anguish and reputational damage. Visibly emotional, he described the episode as a painful chapter marked by arrests, public criticism, and intense pressure on his family and party colleagues.
The court’s ruling noted that investigators were unable to prove the existence of any criminal conspiracy or corrupt motive in policy making. It further stated that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold required to sustain charges against the accused.
With the acquittal, Kejriwal and Sisodia stand legally cleared in one of the most high profile cases involving the Delhi government in recent years. The verdict is expected to have significant political implications, reshaping the discourse around governance reforms, accountability, and the use of investigative processes in public life.
