In a significant legal development on February 27, 2026, a Delhi court discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ex-Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and senior political leader K. Kavitha from the high-profile corruption case linked to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe into the Delhi excise policy. The Rouse Avenue Court ruled that the CBI’s chargesheet contained major gaps and lacked sufficient material evidence, and therefore refused to take cognisance of it. In total, 23 accused, including the senior leaders, were discharged on the ground that the prosecution failed to establish even a prima facie case.
The excise policy case had been a key legal and political flashpoint for years, with allegations of procedural irregularities and financial losses to the Delhi exchequer related to the 2011-22 liquor policy. However, the court’s verdict highlighted serious lapses in the investigation and evidence presented by the CBI, emphasizing that serious criminal allegations must be supported by substantive material, not conjecture. The discharged leaders welcomed the ruling, calling it a vindication of their innocence, while reactions from across the political spectrum varied sharply.
Read more news at Eenadu (ఈనాడు) Newspaper