In a stunning turn of events, a Delhi court has acquitted Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the high-profile CBI case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. The Rouse Avenue Court delivered its verdict on Friday, granting relief to the Aam Aadmi Party’s top leaders after months of intense legal battles.
The courtroom was packed as Kejriwal and Sisodia appeared in person, while other accused, including K Kavitha and Amandeep Dhal, joined via video conferencing. Judge Jitendra Singh thanked all counsels before pronouncing the judgment, which extended acquittal to all 23 accused in the case.
The court lambasted the CBI for investigative lapses, stating there was no evidence of any grand conspiracy or criminal intent behind the 2021-22 excise policy. ‘The prosecution’s case crumbled under scrutiny,’ the judge remarked, pointing out flaws in the chargesheet that relied on mere speculation rather than solid proof.
Key issues highlighted included the CBI’s failure to submit confessional statements and the inappropriate use of terms like ‘South Lobby’ without substantiation. This verdict comes after Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s report prompted Lt Governor VK Saxena to recommend a probe, leading to CBI’s FIR and subsequent arrests.
Manish Sisodia was arrested by CBI on February 26, 2023, while Kejriwal followed suit in March 2024 by ED, and later by CBI in June. The acquittal marks a major setback for the agencies and a boost for AAP ahead of crucial elections.
As political reactions pour in, this decision underscores the importance of robust evidence in corruption cases, potentially reshaping narratives around the alleged scam that rocked Delhi’s governance.