Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has dropped a bombshell by acquitting former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the CBI’s excise policy corruption probe. All 23 accused walk free, with the judge slamming the central agency for a shoddy investigation.
During Friday’s hearing, the AAP duo presented themselves physically, contrasting with virtual appearances by co-accused. The court’s detailed order criticized the chargesheet’s reliance on unverified claims, noting no witness statements backed the conspiracy theory.
‘No criminal conspiracy or corrupt motive was proven in the excise policy overhaul,’ the verdict stated firmly. The judge expressed dismay over missing confessional records and vague terminologies that tainted the probe’s credibility.
The saga began with the 2021-22 policy revamp, accused of favoring private players. A chief secretary’s damning report led to Lt Governor’s push for CBI involvement, culminating in high-profile arrests that paralyzed AAP’s leadership.
Sisodia’s February 2023 detention was followed by Kejriwal’s in 2024, drawing nationwide attention. This clean chit could galvanize AAP’s campaign, while opposition leaders decry it as judicial vindication against political vendetta.
The ruling serves as a cautionary tale for enforcement agencies, emphasizing that assumptions cannot substitute for evidence in pursuing graft allegations.