Court Says No Evidence of Criminal Conspiracy or Intent
By NSB.News Desk
A Delhi court on Friday acquitted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy case. The Rouse Avenue Court also dismissed the case against senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and 21 others.
In its order, the court observed that the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) contained several inconsistencies and lacked evidentiary support. The court stated, “There was no larger conspiracy or criminal intent in the formulation or implementation of the excise policy.”
The Central Bureau of Investigation had been investigating alleged irregularities and corruption in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy introduced by the former AAP government.
Following the verdict, emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom. Kejriwal broke down in tears after being cleared of the charges, while Manish Sisodia was also visibly moved. Party leaders described the judgment as a “victory of truth.”
Complete Timeline of the Delhi Excise Policy Case
October 2023: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued its first summons to Kejriwal.
November 2, 2023: Kejriwal skipped the first summons and attended a political rally in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.
December 2023: He ignored the second ED summons, calling it “illegal and politically motivated.”
January 2024: The third summons was also not complied with; Kejriwal accused the Centre of conspiracy.
January 18, 2024: ED issued the fourth summons for questioning.
February 2, 2024: The fifth and sixth summons were ignored; his legal team questioned their validity.
March 16, 2024: A sessions court granted him bail in two complaints filed by ED for non-compliance with summons.
March 21, 2024: Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from coercive action.
March 21, 2024: Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court seeking relief.
March 21, 2024: After skipping nine summonses, ED arrested him.
May 10, 2024: The Supreme Court granted interim bail until June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
June 2, 2024: He surrendered at Tihar Jail as directed.
June 20, 2024: A Delhi court granted regular bail in the money laundering case.
June 21, 2024: Delhi High Court stayed his release following ED’s appeal.
June 26, 2024: The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him.
September 13, 2024: The Supreme Court granted him bail.
January 22, 2026: A Delhi court acquitted him in two ED-related cases.
February 27, 2026: Rouse Avenue Court granted a complete clean chit in the excise policy case.
With this ruling, a prolonged legal and political battle spanning over two years has reached a significant turning point, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Delhi and beyond.