Delhi Court Discharges Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia In Liquor Policy Case

In a major development, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Friday discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and other accused in the alleged liquor policy scam.

The court ruled that investigators had insufficient evidence and found no criminal offence, including conspiracy.

The case concerned Delhi’s 2021–22 excise policy, withdrawn amid allegations of licensing and pricing irregularities.

Investigators had accused Kejriwal, Sisodia, and other AAP leaders of taking kickbacks from the ‘South Group’ cartel in exchange for policy favours, claiming the irregular implementation caused major losses to the public exchequer.

Both leaders were arrested, but the Supreme Court granted them bail in 2024.

The court required Kejriwal to cooperate fully with the trial and refrain from public comments, while it released Sisodia in August 2024 after nearly 17 months in custody, citing the trial’s extensive scope.

The prolonged detention risked violating his right to a speedy trial.

Reacting to the verdict, Sunita Kejriwal said that ‘truth always prevails’, expressing faith in justice after the court’s decision to discharge the AAP leaders.

Taking to the social media platform X, she wrote: “In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always prevails.”

The Rouse Avenue Court’s decision to discharge the accused underscores the principle that mere allegations cannot sustain criminal proceedings without supporting evidence.

Furthermore, the court held that the investigation lacked sufficient grounds to proceed against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others, granting them legal relief.

The court did not frame charges, closing the case and allowing the leaders to focus on governance. The ruling underscores due process, fair trial rights, and the judiciary’s role in evidence-based corruption probes.

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