NEW DELHI (Feb 27, 2026) — In a significant legal victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a Delhi court has discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia in the corruption case related to the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.
The Court’s Ruling
Special Judge Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court delivered the order, stating that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the leaders.
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No Conspiracy: The court observed that there was “no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent” in the formulation of the excise policy.
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Lack of Evidence: The judge noted that the CBI’s allegations lacked substantive material, adding that “serious allegations must be supported by material evidence, not inference or narrative.”
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Mass Discharge: Alongside Kejriwal and Sisodia, the court discharged 21 other individuals who had been named in the CBI’s chargesheet.
AAP’s Reaction
Speaking to reporters outside the court, a visibly emotional Arvind Kejriwal stated that “truth ultimately wins.” He described the case as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish the party’s image, noting the personal toll of his incarceration during the investigation.
Key Context
The case, which originated in 2022 following a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary, alleged procedural lapses and “kickbacks” used to influence elections. While this discharge provides major relief in the CBI’s corruption case, separate proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding money laundering have been handled on different legal footings.
