Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal became visibly emotional after being discharged in the Delhi excise policy case, as a court found insufficient evidence to proceed against him, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, and several other accused. Outside the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, Kejriwal broke down before cameras, saying that his years of public service had earned him only honesty and that the verdict reaffirmed his innocence. He described the judgment as proof that truth ultimately prevails and appealed for the Constitution to be respected, urging political rivals to seek power through public service rather than attempts to destabilise elected governments.
The emotional moment unfolded as supporters, lawyers, and party colleagues gathered around him following the court’s decision. Kejriwal briefly struggled to speak, removed his glasses, and covered his eyes as he became overwhelmed. He said he and his colleagues had faced prolonged harassment and public accusations of corruption during the investigation, adding that television debates and media coverage had portrayed him unfairly. Standing beside him, Manish Sisodia embraced Kejriwal as scenes of visible relief and emotion played out outside the courthouse.
Earlier in the day, the court observed that serious allegations must be supported by credible material evidence and ruled that attributing a central conspiratorial role to the accused could not be sustained without proof. The judge noted that prosecution claims lacking adequate supporting evidence risk undermining public confidence in constitutional institutions. While discharging Sisodia, the court similarly concluded that the prosecution’s case did not stand up to judicial scrutiny and that available documents and witness statements reflected administrative decision-making rather than criminal intent.
Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, criticised the central government following the ruling, alleging that the case was politically motivated and driven by a desire for power. Defence counsel Vivek Jain stated that the court had carefully examined all evidence presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation and found that none of the allegations crossed the legal threshold required to frame charges. The court also observed that the excise policy had been formulated through institutional safeguards, indicating no irregularity in the manner in which it was designed.
With the discharge order, proceedings against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and other accused have effectively been closed for now on grounds of lack of evidence. However, sources indicate that the CBI is likely to challenge the ruling before the Delhi High Court, meaning the legal battle surrounding the excise policy case may continue despite the present relief granted by the trial court.
