The order was delivered by Special Judge (PC Act) Jitender Singh at the Rouse Avenue Court. The court held that there was “no cogent” evidence against Kejriwal and “no prima facie” case against Sisodia or the other accused.
Court Pulls Up CBI Over ‘Lacunae’ in Chargesheet
The court observed that the “voluminous” chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) contained several lacunae and lacked corroborative evidence or credible witness testimony.
According to the judge, the prosecution’s theory was based on “conjecture rather than concrete evidence” and failed to withstand judicial scrutiny. The court further noted that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the formulation of the excise policy.
“The chargesheet suffers from internal contradictions, striking at the root of conspiracy theory,” the judge observed, as quoted by PTI.
The court also strongly criticised the investigative approach adopted by the CBI, particularly its reliance on approver statements. It said granting pardon to an accused, turning him into an approver, and then using his statements to fill gaps in the investigation or implicate additional individuals was improper and violative of constitutional principles.
“If such conduct is allowed, it would be a grave violation of constitutional principles,” the court remarked.
The judge concluded that no prima facie case was made out against any of the 23 accused and ordered their discharge. The court also indicated it would recommend a departmental inquiry against CBI officials for making public servant Kuldeep Singh the accused number one, stating that no material was found against him.
Kejriwal Reacts: ‘Truth Emerges Victorious’
Reacting to the verdict outside the court, Kejriwal said the decision reaffirmed his faith in the judicial system.
“Today, the court has discharged all accused in this case. We always said that the truth emerges victorious. We have full faith in the Indian legal system,” he said, alleging that the case was a political conspiracy aimed at targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
He added, “Kejriwal is not corrupt. I have only earned honesty in my life. Today, the court has said that Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP are honest.”
Advocate Vivek Jain, counsel for Kejriwal, said the court meticulously examined all the evidence produced by the CBI and found that not a single allegation crossed the threshold required for framing charges.
However, sources within the probe agency indicated that the CBI is likely to approach the Delhi High Court to challenge the Rouse Avenue Court’s judgment.
What Is the Delhi Excise Policy Case?
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 introduced by the AAP government, which was later scrapped.
The CBI registered an FIR in August 2022 following a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The agency alleged that irregularities were committed in the formulation and implementation of the policy to favour select private liquor entities by reducing licence fees and fixing profit margins, leading to alleged kickbacks and financial losses to the Delhi government.
The CBI further claimed that loopholes were intentionally created after the tender process to benefit certain licensees and alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched during the policy’s formulation. It also alleged that ₹100 crore was paid by a “south lobby” to influence the policy.
In total, the chargesheet named 23 individuals, including Kejriwal, Sisodia and others.
With Friday’s order, the trial court has effectively brought relief to all the accused at this stage, though the legal battle may continue if the agency challenges the verdict in a higher court.
