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New Delhi, February 27, 2026 — In a significant development in the long-running Delhi excise policy case, the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia. Special Judge Jitendra Singh ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a criminal conspiracy or provide evidence directly linking the accused to alleged bribe money. The order effectively halts proceedings against the two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders at the trial court stage.
The relief, however, may be temporary. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) immediately announced its decision to challenge the discharge before the Delhi High Court. The agency argued that the lower court overlooked critical aspects of the investigation and maintained that sufficient material exists to frame charges. A petition seeking a stay on the discharge order has already been filed.
Reacting to the verdict, Kejriwal described the case as a politically motivated attempt to weaken his party. Addressing the media, he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dissolve the Delhi Assembly and hold fresh elections, asserting that the people should decide the matter through a renewed mandate. He also demanded a public apology from both the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claiming the court’s decision vindicated his stance of honesty and transparency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed the discharge as a procedural outcome rather than a moral victory. Party spokespersons emphasized that the matter remains under judicial scrutiny and reminded the public that higher courts have previously made strong observations in connection with the case. They further noted that Delhi’s electorate has already expressed its political judgment through recent elections.
Meanwhile, celebrations erupted at the AAP headquarters, where leaders and supporters hailed the ruling with chants of Satyamev Jayate. Sisodia, who also faced charges in the case, said the verdict marked the triumph of truth after a prolonged period of political and legal challenges for the party.
With the CBI’s appeal now pending before the High Court, the case continues to cast a shadow over Delhi’s political landscape. The ruling has provided temporary relief to the AAP leadership, but the legal battle is far from over.
Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available court proceedings and official statements from involved parties. The case remains under judicial consideration, with the Central Bureau of Investigation’s appeal pending before the Delhi High Court. The article does not imply guilt or innocence beyond the court’s current findings and should not be construed as a final legal determination.
