Delhi Excise Policy Case Highlights: Delhi CM questions Kejriwal's acquittal, says evidence was tampered with

Senior BRS leader K Kavitha on Friday termed the Delhi court order acquitting her, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and others in the alleged liquor policy scam case a "huge moral victory", reiterating that the matter was politically motivated.

Speaking after the order, Kavitha said the case had been 'haunting' those named in it for the past two to three years. "The court has honourably discharged all those involved in this liquor policy case. We have always said this was a political vendetta and a false, politically motivated case, and the court has only proven what we have been saying all along," she said. 

Reacting to the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others in the excise policy case, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Friday alleged that opposition leaders are often targeted ahead of elections.

"Whenever elections approach, they try to defame anyone from the opposition and win the elections. We are very proud of Arvind Kejriwal and the case he has fought along with Manish Sisodia. The hope is that the BJP will apologise to Arvind Kejriwal, and the independence of the institution now remains," Thackeray said. 

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday reacted sharply to the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy case, saying the order was only from a lower court and claiming that the evidence in the matter was tampered with. 

"This is the lower court's decision. We all know how evidence was tampered with. If you (Arvind Kejriwal) were right, then why did you withdraw the liquor policy as soon as the investigation started? The courts had also expressed their worry in this case and traces of money laundering were found. Even today you are doing drama. What development did you do in Delhi? Every day, scams emerge in schemes started by you. People of Delhi served justice by voting you out. I am sure the court will also give justice," Gupta said. 

"The law and the courts do their respective jobs," Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary said on Friday after a Delhi court discharged AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal and others in the excise policy case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court order that discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the alleged excise policy scam case. In its appeal, the CBI has sought a stay on the trial court’s order discharging the 23 accused. The agency argued that the trial court failed to properly appreciate multiple aspects of the investigation carried out by it.

The probe agency further contended that the discharge order is "legally perverse" and liable to be set aside. It has also requested an urgent hearing on the matter before the High Court.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leaders flashed the victory sign on Friday after being acquitted in the Delhi excise policy case, in a show of confidence following the court's order. Kejriwal was joined by Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Durgesh Pathak as they posed together, raising the victory sign before supporters.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday hit out at the Congress over its reaction to his acquittal in the excise policy case, questioning why none of the grand old party leaders ever went to jail in cases registered against them. 

"I want to ask the Congress - Kejriwal went to jail. Did Robert Vadra go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Rahul Gandhi go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Sonia Gandhi ji went to jail? What is Congress saying? Does it have no shame?" the former Delhi Chief Minister said. 

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday threw an open challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to call elections in Delhi immediately. His remarks came hours after a Delhi court acquitted him, his former deputy Manish Sisodia and others in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam case.

"I dare you, hold elections in Delhi now, the BJP will not get even 10 seats. If they win more than 10 seats, I assure you, I will quit politics," Kejriwal said, asserting confidence in his party’s support in the national capital. 

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP leadership after his acquittal in the alleged liquor policy scam case, alleging a political conspiracy against his party.

"Two people, PM Modi and Amit Shah, hatched this conspiracy to finish the Aam Aadmi Party. Today, they should apologise to the country....I have only earned honesty, not money," he said. 

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the court had found no material to proceed in the Delhi excise policy case. "Today, the court in its 600-page order has said that there is not the slightest evidence to even have a case in this matter," he said while addressing a press conference. 

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday thanked his legal team after a court granted him a clean chit in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam case, bringing significant relief to the Aam Aadmi Party leadership.

Addressing a press conference following AAP's victory march, Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the lawyers who represented him through the prolonged legal battle, saying their efforts were crucial in securing the outcome. 

After being relieved of charges in the alleged Delhi excise policy case by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia said he had known from day one that the case against him was false and fabricated. 

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday led a mega Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) victory rally in the city hours after a court acquitted him, his former deputy Manish Sisodia and 23 others in the alleged liquor policy scam. Visuals from the rally showed him greeting his supporters as he left for the party office from his residence. 

Reacting to the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said questions remained despite the court finding no evidence against the accused.

"What I have read says that there is no evidence against them. They did not say that they are innocent. The liquor scam is for real. There has been a liquor scam. There was evidence before; suddenly, the evidence disappeared. Let's understand that there is more to it," she said while speaking to news agency ANI. 

Reacting to the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged misuse of central agencies by the ruling BJP to defame people and expressed confidence in the judiciary.

"The court has also said that a case should be filed against the CBI's IO (investigating officer) as well. Agencies keep filing cases against opposition parties in the wrong manner. The BJP uses this to defame people. We too have faith in the judiciary that in the coming times, we will also get justice. We are fighting," Yadav said while speaking to reporters in New Delhi. 

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia are set to lead a victory march in the national capital following their acquittal in the excise policy scam case. According to party sources, the march will begin from 5, Ferozshah Marg in New Delhi, with several leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party expected to participate.

(With inputs from Amit Bhardwaj.)

The Delhi unit of the BJP on Friday took a swipe at former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that sins of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) haven't been washed clean yet.

Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that Rouse Avenue court's verdict stating that Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others were not at fault in the Delhi exercise policy case must be accepted. 

"Our country runs on the strength of its judicial and security systems. Despite being such a large nation with diverse parties, castes, religions, and communities, it functions smoothly because of the judiciary. Without it, there would be chaos and unrest. Now that the court has given its verdict stating that Arvind Kejriwal is not at fault, it must be accepted," news agency ANI quoted Hazare as saying. 

Reacting to the acquittal of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and other accused in the liquor policy case, the wife of AAP MP Sanjay Singh termed the verdict a "big day" for both the party and their family.

"This is a big day for AAP and our family. We have received more than what we expected. Everyone is very happy. Our senior leaders have been acquitted and there is immense joy in the AAP. I thank the judiciary," she said. 

After the Delhi court discharged Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor scam case, Punjab's Health Minister Harpal Singh Cheema was seen dancing along with party peers and supporters.

Talking about the Delhi lower court judgement that discharged Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor scam case, AAP leader Somnath Bharti said, "Today's judgement is not just an acquittal, but a judgement against BJP's evil politics. The way they made huge promises, they had only one challenge – AAP, since Congress does not have any identity now... BJP and Congress, who were weak in front of a person who had a vision, colluded in a conspiracy to stain his honesty... They worked together, and it has been proven today that his conspiracy cannot be stopped... The CBI may go to the High Court, the Supreme Court, the UN Court, but the fact is a fact," he told. 

(Inputs from ANI)

Following the Delhi local court verdict, the AAM Aadmi Party supporters were seen celebrating both in Delhi and Punjab.

The National Spokesperson for the Congress Party, Pawan Khera, said that Arvind Kejriwal was let off in the Delhi excise policy case as part of BJP's larger plan to weaken the Congress in the Punjab and Gujarat elections. 

"Not surprising at all; most predictable. This is what the BJP does before every election. If it suits them to weaken the congress, they will strengthen Congress's rivals. That is what they did in the past as well. Yesterday, they gave sanction for prosecution against P Chidambaram, to weaken the Congress in Tamil Nadu...to weaken Congress, the PM even gave a certificate to the TMC. Nothing will change on the ground; the people of Gujarat and Punjab are ready for a change, and they are looking at Congress," he told ANI. 

The leader further asked if Kejriwal was innocent, then why did he roll back the previous policy?

Following the Rose Avenue Court verdict, the National Convenor of the BJP's IT cell, Amit Malviya, asked if Kejriwal was so honest, then why did the Delhi government roll back the existing excise policy? 

"If Arvind Kejriwal was so honest, why did the Delhi government roll back and alter the policy once irregularities were flagged? Why were multiple phones and SIM cards destroyed? Why was the number of vendors reduced so sharply while commissions were increased from 6% to 12%? These decisions raise serious and legitimate questions. The kickbacks are not a figment of imagination; they are issues placed before the courts and the public," he wrote on X. 

"The people of Delhi have already expressed their verdict through the ballot. Now, the judiciary will continue its examination. With further levels of judicial scrutiny pending, the final word is yet to be written," he further added. 

He also said that the legal battle is far from being over. 

"The judgment in the Delhi excise case has come from a lower court. In the past, even the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India have made strong and damning observations in related proceedings. Whether this judgment withstands scrutiny in higher courts remains to be seen. The legal process is far from over."

After Delhi's Rose Avenue Court discharged him and Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case, Manish Sisodia slammed the Central Bureau of Investigation by saying that the entire premise of the case was false. 

"CBI said I was not telling the truth, the only truth was that this case was false," he said. 

Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, Sisodia also called Narendra Modi a dictator.

Hailing the verdict of the Delhi lower court, former Chief Minister of Delhi, Atishi, said that truth would always prevail over injustice. 

"Truth alone triumphs! No matter how many false accusations are made, no matter how much oppression is carried out, in the end, truth prevails. Today, it is evident before the entire nation - the BJP's conspiracy and Arvind Kejriwal's unwavering honesty," She wrote.

Arvind Kejriwal expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin, for extending his support in the Delhi Excise Policy Case. 

Sharing Stalin's Tweet, Kejriwal said, "Thank you so much Thiru Stalin for always standing with us in our struggle." 

Following the lower court verdict on the Delhi excise policy case, which provided relief to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader and MP, Sanjay Singh slammed Narendra Modi. He urged the Prime Minister to publicly apologise for allegedly hatching a conspiracy against leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. 

He also accused the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating roadblocks in the massive developmental work that was spearheaded by the AAP government in Delhi.

"It has been proven today that as per a conspiracy, fake cases were filed to defame Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Aam Aadmi Party...Today, the truth has emerged victorious," he further mentioned. 

(Inputs from ANI)

Following the relief in the Delhi Excise Policy case, K Kavitha, one of the accused, said, "I have 100 times said that we have nothing to do with this case. This is a politically motivated case. As a part of a political vendetta, this case has been put against the Opposition parties and I am thankful to the judiciary that they have upheld our faith in the judiciary of this country. Today, the judiciary has cut through this entire web of lies."

(Inputs from ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation is all set to challenge Arvind Kejriwal's verdict in Delhi High Court.

Delhi Rouse Avenue Court recommended a departmental enquiry against the investigation officer in the Delhi Excise policy CBI case after providing relief to Arvind Kejriwal.

"What is particularly disturbing is the complete disregard shown by the investigating officer to the fact that public servants, who were discharging their official duties on a day-to-day basis for the effective implementation of a governmental policy, have been subjected to criminal prosecution solely on the basis of inadmissible hearsay attributed to an approver, despite the investigation yielding no material against them," the court said. 

It further added, "It betrays a conscious and calculated stratagem by which the investigating officer has sought to keep the narrative deliberately fluid, relying upon the individual’s statement to prop up the prosecution case, while at the same time preserving the option of implicating that very person should the case, as projected, fail to withstand judicial scrutiny. Such dual positioning unmistakably reveals that the investigating officer was, from the outset, conscious of the inherent fragility of the allegations being advanced and apprehensive that the version placed before the Court might not survive close judicial examination."

(Inputs from Aneesha Mathur)

After Arvind Kejriwal's verdict in the Delhi Excise Policy case, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister mounted an attack on the BJP-led central government. He said that the party has sold the integrity of the central agencies by using them against opposition parties.

As the Delhi lower court provided Arvind Kejriwal with relief in the Delhi Excise policy case, the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that the truth has finally come out. 

He also launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP for allegedly breaking several parties by using central agencies. 

"If you want to achieve power, achieve it, but in a proper way. But, do not frame fake cases against leaders and break parties by using central agencies. That is not good for Indian democracy."

Saurabh Bhardwaj launched a scathing attack against the Enforcement Directorate after the lower court verdict on Arvind Kejriwal. He said that the ED does not have its own legs and sustains on a wheelchair. He further added that the ED relied on CBI's case. However, as the CBI case had been terminated null and void by the court, the ED case will also not have any credibility.

"This is not a victory for Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia but for those who want to remain sincere and honest. An environment has been created in the country today where honest officials are harassed. Due to this judgement, 5-10%of the IAS officers and the judiciary will remain honest," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)

Following the Delhi lower court verdict, Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X that in the end, truth always wins, defeating injustice. 

"In the end, unrighteousness and injustice are defeated, and truth alone prevails. Satyameva Jayate," Kejriwal wrote. 

Following the Delhi lower court verdict on Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor scam, Sunita Kejriwal said that the BJP hatched a political conspiracy 'in the lust for power.' 

"We knew Kejriwal was innocent and always believed that truth would prevail. Today, finally, the truth has come out. It was a political conspiracy framed by the BJP in the lust for power in Delhi," Sunita Kejriwal said.

Following the relief of the Delhi Liquor Scam case, Arvind Kejriwal will hold a press conference at 4 pm.

Family members of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia greeted the two after both of them were discharged in the Delhi Liquor Policy case. 

Along with Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, suspended BRS leader K Kavitha has also been discharged in the liquor policy scam by the Delhi lower court.

Following the relief in the Delhi liquor scam case, Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia hailed the power of truth. 

"Truth alone triumphs. Today, once again, I feel proud of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Ji's visionary thinking and the Constitution he crafted. Despite all the attempts by Modi Ji's entire party and all their agencies to prove us dishonest, today it has been proven that Arvind Kejriwal - Manish Sisodia are staunchly honest," he wrote on X.

On the Delhi lower court's verdict to discharge all the accused in the Delhi liquor policy case, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, lawyer and Samajwadi Party leader, Kapil Sibal said that the case never had any substantial evidence. The BJP hatched it to win elections in Delhi.

 Following the Delhi lower court's verdict on Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, the Aam Aadmi Party's legal team said that, like the CBI, the ED case will also not be held.

"We believe the CBI court’s decision will also impact the ED case. If the CBI case is found to be allegedly fake, then the ED case will also not hold," AAP legal team said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation will challenge the Delhi lower court's verdict of discharging Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi High Court.

After a Delhi court discharged all the Delhi Liquor Scam accused, the Aam Aadmi Party said that the truth is immortal and it will always come out. 

Taking to Twitter, AAP said, "Truth is immortal, truth is indelible. Today, the court has given a clean chit to Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Shri Manish Sisodia in the fake liquor scam, thereby putting a permanent lock on the BJP's lies forever. Heartfelt thanks to the crores of fellow countrymen who stood by us in this fight. We have fought with complete honesty for the country and will continue to fight."

As the court discharged all the Delhi Liquor Scam accused, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, said that truth will always win and prevail.

CBI has suffered a big setback as all the 23 accused have been discharged in the Delhi Liquor Scam case. The court told CBI that no sufficient evidence has been found against the accused in the case.

As the court gave a clean chit to the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the liquor scam, Arvind Kejriwal broke down in tears. He said that he was innocent and the BJP hatched conspiracy to frame him.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that truth won after being discharged in the Delhi Excise Policy case along with Manish Sisodia. 

He accused the BJP of hatching the biggest political conspiracy to tarnish the image of AAP politicians.