On What Grounds Did Court Discharge Kejriwal and Sisodia?

In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s political circles, a special court discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the controversial excise policy case. But what exactly led the court to drop the charges?

The judgment from the Rouse Avenue Court did more than just grant relief — it sharply criticised the investigation and questioned the foundation of the prosecution’s claims.

“No Material Evidence,” Says Court

The court made it clear that serious criminal accusations must be supported by solid, verifiable evidence. It observed that the prosecution failed to present substantive material linking Kejriwal or Sisodia to any criminal conspiracy in the formulation of the now-withdrawn liquor policy.

According to the order, merely building a narrative or drawing inferences is not enough to send someone to trial. The judge stated that attributing a “central conspiratorial role” without concrete proof cannot stand in law.

The court further remarked that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent established behind the excise policy decision.

Chargesheet Rejected, 23 Accused Discharged

In a major setback to the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the court declined to take cognisance of the chargesheet filed in the case. All 23 accused persons, including top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, were discharged.

The ruling effectively halted the case before it could proceed to a full trial, with the judge stating that the basic legal threshold to frame charges had not been met.

Strong Words on Investigative Methods

In one of the strongest observations in the order, the court cautioned against the practice of granting pardon to an accused person and then using their statements to widen the scope of allegations against others.

The judge warned that allowing such a method to fill gaps in an investigation would violate constitutional principles. The court emphasised that legal safeguards cannot be bypassed to strengthen a weak case.

Emotional Reaction From Kejriwal

Soon after the verdict, Kejriwal appeared visibly emotional and said that he had earned only honesty through his public life. Calling himself “kattar imaandar,” he maintained that truth had prevailed after a long legal battle.

Sisodia, who spent around 530 days in custody, and Kejriwal, who was jailed for 156 days in two separate spells before securing bail, now stand legally cleared in the case.

Inquiry Ordered Against Investigating Officer

In another significant move, the court directed a departmental inquiry against the investigating officer, pointing to serious lapses in the handling of the case.

The excise policy controversy had dominated headlines for months, but with the court finding no evidence strong enough to sustain prosecution, the case has taken a dramatic turn.