A major political and legal development unfolded in the national capital as a Delhi court acquitted Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, and Manish Sisodia, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in the widely discussed Delhi liquor policy case.

The verdict was delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court, which ruled that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the formulation of the excise policy introduced by the Delhi government.

This ruling marks a significant moment in the long-running Delhi excise policy case news, which had triggered major political debates, legal battles, and investigations involving several political leaders and government officials.

The case had been closely followed across the country and had become one of the most discussed developments in Arvind Kejriwal liquor policy case news, Manish Sisodia liquor policy case verdict, and Delhi excise policy corruption case update.

Delhi Court Verdict in the Liquor Policy Case

The court carefully examined the evidence and submissions presented by investigating agencies before reaching its conclusion.

After reviewing the case, the Rouse Avenue Court stated that there was no proof of a criminal conspiracy or deliberate wrongdoing in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy.

As a result, the court cleared Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 other accused individuals, bringing a major legal chapter to a close.

The verdict is widely being seen as a significant setback for the investigating agencies, particularly the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, which had conducted extensive investigations into the case.

The ruling is now dominating headlines in Kejriwal Sisodia acquittal latest news and Delhi liquor policy case timeline discussions.

Background of the Delhi Liquor Policy Case

The controversy began with the introduction of a new excise policy by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi.

The policy aimed to restructure the liquor retail system in the national capital and increase government revenue.

Under the new system, private players were given a larger role in retail liquor sales, while the government withdrew from operating liquor shops directly.

Supporters of the policy argued that it would modernise the liquor trade, improve transparency, and generate higher revenue for the Delhi government.

However, critics and opposition parties alleged that irregularities and corruption had occurred in the policy’s formulation and implementation.

These allegations eventually led to a series of investigations by central agencies, making the case one of the most high-profile political investigations in recent years.

Timeline of the Delhi Liquor Policy Case

The Delhi liquor policy case timeline spans several years and includes numerous legal developments, arrests, investigations, and court hearings.

November 2021 – New Excise Policy Implemented

The Delhi government introduced a new excise policy for 2021–22, aiming to reform the liquor retail system in the capital.

The government claimed that the policy would increase revenue, eliminate corruption in licensing, and create a better retail environment.

July 8, 2022 – Chief Secretary’s Report

A report submitted by the Delhi Chief Secretary alleged serious irregularities and violations in the implementation of the excise policy.

The report raised questions regarding procedural lapses and possible undue benefits to certain liquor license holders.

July 22, 2022 – CBI Probe Recommended

Following the report, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI investigation into the policy.

This step formally initiated the CBI Delhi liquor policy investigation news, marking the beginning of a major probe.

August 19, 2022 – CBI Raids

The Central Bureau of Investigation conducted raids on Manish Sisodia and several others in connection with the case.

The raids were part of the agency’s effort to gather evidence regarding alleged irregularities in the policy’s formulation.

August 22, 2022 – ED Registers Money Laundering Case

Soon after the CBI probe began, the Enforcement Directorate launched a money laundering investigation linked to the liquor policy.

This significantly expanded the scope of the investigation and brought financial transactions under scrutiny.

September 2022 – Arrest of Vijay Nair

The CBI arrested Vijay Nair, communications head of the Aam Aadmi Party, in connection with the case.

His arrest marked the first major detention related to the Delhi liquor policy case.

March 2023 – Arrest of Manish Sisodia

In March 2023, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy.

This development intensified the political and legal battle surrounding the case.

October 2023 – Arrest of Sanjay Singh

Later in 2023, Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the investigation.

The arrests of multiple leaders kept the case in the national spotlight.

October 2023 – Summons to Arvind Kejriwal

The Enforcement Directorate issued its first summons to Arvind Kejriwal as part of the investigation.

The summons triggered significant political reactions and debates across the country.

March 16, 2024 – Arrest of K Kavitha

In March 2024, K Kavitha, a leader associated with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.

Her arrest added another major political dimension to the case.

March 21, 2024 – Arrest of Arvind Kejriwal

After skipping multiple summons, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate following searches at his residence.

The arrest came after the Delhi High Court declined to grant him protection from arrest.

This event became one of the most significant developments in the Delhi liquor policy case timeline.

September 2024 – Supreme Court Grants Bail

Later in 2024, the Supreme Court of India granted bail to Kejriwal in the case.

The decision allowed him to be released from custody under specific conditions.

The court’s intervention became a key moment in Delhi excise policy case news.

2024–2025 – Ongoing Court Proceedings

Throughout late 2024 and 2025, courts continued to hear bail petitions, procedural matters, and arguments related to the investigations conducted by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

The legal proceedings remained complex and continued to dominate Delhi excise policy corruption case update discussions.

February 27 – Court Clears All Accused

Finally, on February 27, the Rouse Avenue Court cleared Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha and all 23 accused individuals in the case.

The court concluded that no overarching conspiracy existed and there was insufficient evidence of criminal intent.

This verdict effectively brought the case to a major turning point.

Political Impact of the Verdict

The acquittal has major political implications.

For the Aam Aadmi Party, the ruling represents a significant legal victory after years of allegations and investigations.

Party leaders have argued that the case was politically motivated and have welcomed the court’s decision.

On the other hand, opposition parties may continue to raise questions regarding governance and policy decisions during the period when the excise policy was implemented.

The case has therefore become one of the most influential developments in Delhi politics and national political debates.

Legal and Institutional Significance

Beyond politics, the verdict also raises important legal questions regarding investigations, evidence standards, and accountability in high-profile corruption cases.

The ruling highlights the role of courts in ensuring that criminal charges must be supported by strong evidence and clear proof of wrongdoing.

Legal experts say the verdict reinforces the principle that policy decisions alone cannot be treated as criminal acts unless there is evidence of deliberate corruption or conspiracy.

Conclusion

The acquittal of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor policy case marks a major development in one of India’s most closely watched political and legal controversies.

After years of investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, the court concluded that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent behind the excise policy decision.

The case will likely continue to influence Delhi politics, public discourse, and legal debates regarding governance and accountability.

For many observers, the verdict represents not only the end of a long legal battle but also a moment that could reshape discussions around policy decisions, investigative processes, and political accountability in India.

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