NEW DELHI, Feb 27 — A Delhi special court has discharged all 23 accused individuals, including prominent Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the alleged excise policy scam. The ruling delivered on Friday affirmed that the evidence presented did not disclose any criminal conspiracy or illegal intent in the implementation of the Delhi government’s previous liquor policy.
The court’s decision brings an end to a high-profile legal battle that began following a complaint by the Lieutenant Governor in 2022. Although the CBI and Enforcement Directorate had alleged that policy changes resulted in cartelization and the exchange of kickbacks, the court observed that these claims remained unproven. The judge affirmed that the prosecution’s narrative failed to meet the necessary legal standards for a trial.
The court noted that the practice of using pardoned individuals’ testimonies to implicate others was a serious concern. “Permitting such practices would amount to a serious violation of constitutional principles,” the judge declared. He maintained that the investigative approach used to link the policy’s profit margin changes to criminal activity lacked a solid evidentiary foundation.
Manish Sisodia, who oversaw the policy’s introduction in 2021, had maintained that the framework was a strategic move for the city’s economy. The court’s order effectively exonerates the entire list of accused, which included various business persons and political figures. Following the discharge, the court suggested that the conduct of certain investigative officials be reviewed through a departmental inquiry to ensure future procedural accuracy.
