'I am not corrupt': Kejriwal breaks down after court discharges him, Sisodia in liquor policy case

Delhi excise policy case: The court said the voluminous chargesheet contained several gaps and was not backed by any witness testimony or substantive evidence.

Delhi excise policy case: A Delhi court has discharged AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the alleged liquor policy corruption case, sharply criticising the CBI for prosecuting them without adequate material. The court said the voluminous chargesheet contained several gaps and was not backed by any witness testimony or substantive evidence.

The court also closed the CBI case against all 23 accused, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, in the excise policy matter, effectively granting them major relief.

Reacting emotionally to the verdict, Arvind Kejriwal broke down in tears while addressing the media. He stated, "I am not corrupt. The court has said that Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are honest."  He welcomed the decision as proof of their integrity and a victory for truth.

Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal's wife, also welcomed the ruling, stating that no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti, and that truth always prevails.

In a post on X, Sunita Kejriwal said, "In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always prevails."

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has said it will challenge the Rouse Avenue Court's order discharging Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and all 23 accused in the Delhi excise policy corruption case.

Both Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia had previously faced arrest in probes linked to the Delhi excise policy matter but secured release on bail from the Supreme Court in 2024.

The controversy stems from the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which introduced reforms in liquor licensing and retail but faced accusations of procedural flaws, favoritism, and financial irregularities. The policy was ultimately scrapped in mid-2022.

Central investigating agencies, including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED), claimed that senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) figures, such as Kejriwal and Sisodia, received illicit payments, often described as kickbacks, from a network referred to as the "South Group" (involving certain liquor traders and associates). These alleged payoffs were purportedly exchanged for policy adjustments that favored specific licensees, including relaxed norms, higher profit margins for wholesalers, and preferential allocations.

Probes further asserted that these deviations and manipulations led to substantial revenue shortfalls for the government exchequer, alongside misuse of funds for political purposes, such as election campaigns.

In the CBI's corruption probe, the Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal in September 2024. Earlier, in July 2024, the court had provided interim relief in the related money laundering case handled by the ED, stressing the importance of personal liberty and the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, while urging full cooperation with ongoing proceedings and caution against public statements on the case's substance.

For Manish Sisodia, the Supreme Court approved bail in August 2024 following around 17 months in custody. The court highlighted that, given the extensive list of witnesses, voluminous documents, and slow pace of the trial, continued detention would infringe on the constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial.

Kejriwal's arrests occurred on March 21, 2024 (by the ED in the money laundering matter) and June 26, 2024 (by the CBI in the corruption case).

The policy's withdrawal followed a recommendation from Delhi's Lieutenant Governor for a CBI inquiry into suspected corruption and lapses during its creation and rollout, prompting the launch of formal investigations by central agencies.

(With IANS inputs)