Kejriwal, Sisodia acquitted in liquor policy case, CBI harshly criticized

NEW DELHI: Former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia have been acquitted in the Delhi liquor policy case. The Rouse Avenue Court's action is in the case taken by the CBI in the liquor policy corruption case. The court strongly criticized the CBI for including them in the case without evidence. The court also said that action will be taken against the CBI officials. The CBI is trying to appeal against the verdict.

Kejriwal said we are honest. Truth always wins. The corruption case is part of a conspiracy fabricated by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Kejriwal broke down emotionally while talking to the media.

After hearing detailed arguments from the CBI and the defense, the court had adjourned the case to pronounce its verdict on February 12. Apart from Kejriwal and Sisodia, the court has acquitted 21 other people involved in the case. The CBI had alleged that Rs 100 crore was received from the South Lobby to make positive changes in the canceled Delhi liquor policy.

The CBI had filed a chargesheet against 23 people including Kejriwal, Sisodia and K Kavitha. Additional Solicitor General D P Singh argued in the court that everyone was involved in this conspiracy and there was sufficient evidence to face trial. Senior advocate N Hariharan, who appeared for Kejriwal, strongly opposed the CBI's allegations. Kejriwal's name was not in the first three supplementary charge sheets. He was included only in the fourth charge sheet. He only performed official duties as the chief minister. The defense argued that there was no clear evidence against Kejriwal to link him to the conspiracy. The court's verdict has given a big relief to the AAP camp. Kejriwal lost Delhi Chief Minister’s post in the political storm that erupted over the liquor policy case. This corruption allegation was the biggest political weapon used by the BJP to put the Aam Aadmi Party on the defensive in the last elections. The BJP spread the news that Kejriwal had directly received money and that Sisodia had acted as a middleman. These allegations strengthened the BJP's political movement in Delhi. Sisodia, who was involved in the case, had to spend about a year and a half in jail and Kejriwal had to spend about six months in jail.