Anna Hazare Urges Acceptance of Court Verdict in Kejriwal Excise Case

Veteran social reformer Anna Hazare on Friday reacted to the recent court decision that cleared former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy matter. Emphasizing the importance of constitutional institutions, Hazare said that the judiciary remains the backbone of the nation and its rulings must be honoured by all.

He remarked that India’s stability, despite its vast diversity of languages, cultures, and communities, rests largely on the strength of its legal and security systems. “If the courts were not functioning independently, the country would face disorder,” he observed.

“Verdict Must Be Accepted”

Referring directly to the judgment, Hazare stated, “Now that the court has given its verdict saying Arvind Kejriwal is not at fault, it should be accepted.” He avoided entering the political debate surrounding the case and instead focused on reinforcing trust in judicial processes.

The ruling came from a special court that declined to frame charges in the excise policy case, effectively discharging Kejriwal and 22 others. Special Judge Jitendra Singh noted that there was no prima facie material to establish criminal conspiracy or intent in the now-scrapped policy.

Setback for Investigating Agency

The case had been investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which had filed its initial chargesheet in 2022 and later submitted additional documents alleging financial irregularities. However, the court found that the available material did not justify proceeding to trial.

The decision has sparked mixed political reactions, with supporters calling it a victory for due process while critics have indicated they may explore further legal remedies.

Hazare Avoids Political Crossfire

Hazare, who once led a nationwide anti-corruption movement that brought several political figures, including Kejriwal, into prominence, refrained from taking sides. Instead, he reiterated that public faith in institutions must remain intact.