Arrested in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia faced accusations of corruption and ₹100+ crore kickbacks in the 2021–22 excise policy case. Delhi court has now discharged them, saying no evidence was found.
New Delhi: In a major legal and political setback for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a Delhi court on Friday discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and all 23 accused in the high-profile Delhi Excise Policy (liquor scam) case.
The Rouse Avenue Court ruled that the CBI failed to provide any solid evidence to support the charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption.
Court’s Strong Observations
Special Judge Jitendra Singh, while discharging the accused, made several clear observations:
• There was no prima facie (basic) case against any of the accused.
• The CBI chargesheet did not contain strong material evidence and mostly depended on statements that were not independently confirmed.
• There was “no evidence of any large criminal conspiracy or corrupt intention” in making or implementing the 2021–22 excise policy.
• The court criticised the investigating agency for serious lapses and said serious allegations cannot be based only on assumptions or guesses.
This order effectively gives relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the CBI case at this stage.
The Delhi Excise Policy Case: What Happened
The controversy began when the AAP government introduced its 2021–22 excise policy and later withdrew it after allegations surfaced that it had favoured certain liquor groups, often called the “South Group.”
The CBI had alleged that more than ₹100 crore in kickbacks were demanded and received in return for policy benefits.
• Manish Sisodia was arrested in February 2023.
• Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in March 2024.
• Several AAP leaders and businessmen were named as accused.
• It was also claimed that the policy caused a major revenue loss to the Delhi government. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in related audits, estimated losses of over ₹2,000 crore.
AAP’s Reaction: “Truth Has Won”
AAP leaders celebrated the court’s decision and called it complete justice after years of what they described as political harassment.
Sources close to Kejriwal said he became emotional after hearing the order and described it as proof that the case was politically motivated. The party will hold a press conference later in the day.
BJP & Opposition Response
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have said that one court order does not end the matter. They pointed out that the separate money-laundering investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is still ongoing.
The Indian National Congress (Congress) welcomed the discharge order but repeated its demand for a deeper investigation into the alleged irregularities in the policy.
Important Legal Point
Today’s decision is a discharge, which means the court found there was no case strong enough to frame charges at this stage. It is not a full acquittal after a complete trial.
However, many are calling it a “clean chit” because the court said there was no material evidence against the accused. The CBI can challenge this order in a higher court.
The Enforcement Directorate’s separate money-laundering case against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others is still pending, and today’s ruling does not affect it.
What This Means for Delhi Politics in 2026
The verdict gives a big boost to the AAP, which has consistently claimed that the liquor scam case was politically motivated by the Centre. The order may help the party restore its anti-corruption image, which has been under pressure for the last three years.
At the same time, the court’s sharp criticism has raised fresh questions about the quality of investigations conducted by agencies like the CBI and ED in high-profile political cases.
Whether this discharge brings a final end to the liquor scam issue or leads to new legal and political battles will become clear in the coming weeks.
Mansi Sharma is a journalist covering Global Affairs, and wellness, known for turning complex ideas into sharp, engaging narratives. Her work is driven by curiosity, depth, and a constant urge to question and explore. When she’s not writing, you’ll often find her diving into new ideas—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand, one sip at a time.