Delhi Court Discharges Kejriwal in CBI Excise Policy Case
A Delhi court on Friday discharged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and 22 other accused in the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) excise policy case, prompting an emotional response from the former chief minister who called the verdict a "triumph of truth." The ruling marks a significant legal development in a high-profile investigation that has dominated Delhi's political landscape for years.
Kejriwal's Emotional Outburst and Allegations
Addressing the media shortly after the court's decision, Kejriwal broke down, describing the case as a "totally fabricated" attempt to "crush AAP." He directly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging they orchestrated the "biggest political conspiracy in independent India" to undermine his party.
"Today, the court has discharged all accused in this case. We always said that truth triumphs. We have faith in the Indian legal system. Truth has triumphed," Kejriwal stated. "Modi ji and Amit Shah ji together hatched the biggest political conspiracy of Independent India to crush AAP. AAP's top five leaders were put in jail, even the sitting chief minister was dragged out of his house and put in jail. It never happened in history."
He further asserted his personal integrity, claiming, "Kejriwal is not corrupt. In my life, I have only earned honesty. They filed a false case, and today it has been proven… the court has said that Kejriwal is fiercely honest, Manish Sisodia is fiercely honest, and the Aam Aadmi Party is fiercely honest." Kejriwal concluded with a pointed message to the Prime Minister: "I want to tell the PM that for power he should not play with the country and constitution like this."
Background of the Excise Policy Controversy
The controversy stems from the liquor policy introduced by the AAP government in November 2021. The policy proposed that the government exit the retail sale of alcohol and grant licenses to private players, with the stated aim of curbing corruption and boosting revenue for the national capital.
However, months after its implementation, allegations of procedural irregularities surfaced, leading Delhi's Lieutenant Governor to recommend a CBI probe in July 2022. The CBI registered a First Information Report (FIR) alleging lapses and undue benefits to certain licensees. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a parallel money-laundering investigation, intensifying the legal scrutiny.
High-Profile Arrests and Political Fallout
The probe resulted in a series of high-profile arrests that shook Delhi's political establishment:
- In February 2023, then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI.
- In October 2023, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was arrested by the ED.
- In March 2024, the ED arrested Kejriwal after multiple summonses, making him the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in a money-laundering case while in office. He spent nearly six months in jail.
The political repercussions were severe. Soon after securing release, Kejriwal resigned as chief minister, with AAP legislators electing Atishi as his successor. The turmoil contributed to AAP losing the 2025 Delhi assembly elections after a decade in power, with Kejriwal also losing his New Delhi assembly seat.
Legal and Political Implications
The court's discharge of all 23 accused in the CBI case represents a pivotal moment, though the ED's money-laundering investigation remains ongoing. Legal experts note that while this ruling addresses the CBI's allegations, it does not necessarily conclude the broader legal challenges facing AAP leaders.
Politically, Kejriwal's forceful allegations of a conspiracy by the central government are likely to reignite debates about the use of investigative agencies in political rivalries. The case has already had a profound impact on Delhi's governance and electoral dynamics, with the discharge potentially reshaping AAP's strategy as it seeks to rebuild after its electoral setbacks.
The excise policy saga underscores the intense friction between Delhi's ruling party and the central government, highlighting issues of federalism, legal accountability, and political survival in India's vibrant democracy.
