Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has vocally condemned Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP national convener, after a Special Court discharged him and 22 others from the Delhi Excise Policy case. This development follows Kejriwal’s self-description as “kattar imandaar,” or brutally honest. In response, Gupta challenged the legitimacy of these claims, emphasizing that the court’s ruling merely represents a lower court’s decision. She pointed to what she described as evidence tampering in the investigation, citing the destruction of around 150 mobile phones and deletion of their data. Gupta expressed skepticism regarding Kejriwal’s innocence by questioning why he withdrew the liquor policy once the inquiry commenced.

Allegations of Irregularities in Excise Policy

The Chief Minister further accused Kejriwal of overseeing misconduct related to the now-repealed Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, claiming that the commission rate for traders was raised from 5 percent to 12 percent. She criticized promotional offers, such as giving one liquor bottle away for free with another, questioning their appropriateness for Delhi. Gupta referenced the concerns expressed by various courts regarding evidence associated with the case, including findings related to money laundering. She challenged Kejriwal’s portrayal of honesty and integrity.

Addressing Other Controversies and Allegations

In her address, Gupta did not limit her criticism to the excise policy, turning her focus to other alleged irregularities concerning the “Sheesh Mahal” case and the infrastructure of schools in Delhi. She claimed that multiple projects had seen cost overruns while remaining incomplete, further asserting that Kejriwal had deceived the citizens of Delhi. Gupta emphasized that various schemes associated with Kejriwal were tarnished with allegations of corruption. She pointed out that significant cost increases had not led to tangible outcomes and criticized the accountability measures, urging that the people of Delhi deserve justice regarding misappropriated funds.

Reactions to Court’s Discharge Order

Gupta’s remarks followed a ruling from the Special Court, which dismissed the charges against all 23 defendants, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy. Judge Jitender Singh stated that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused, characterizing the allegations as legally unsupportable. The judge criticized the investigative methods of the Central Bureau of Investigation, noting that their case relied more on conjecture than on incriminating evidence. The court also raised concerns about the reliability of witness statements used in the prosecution and suggested that certain CBI officials should face departmental scrutiny.

CBI’s Continued Legal Action

Despite the court’s discharge order, the Central Bureau of Investigation has sought to contest the ruling in the Delhi High Court, aiming to overturn the verdict. In a press conference, Kejriwal defended the court’s decision as validation of his integrity and that of the AAP, while accusing higher political authorities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of orchestrating a conspiracy against him. He cited the 600-page ruling from the court, claiming it affirmed there was insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s case.

Background of the Excise Policy Case

The origin of the excise case stems from allegations directed at the Delhi government regarding corruption tied to its 2021-22 excise policy, which was purportedly designed to benefit specific private liquor licensees. The CBI claims that the policy included provisions that compromised licensing fees and profit margins, instigating financial losses for the Delhi government. The investigation began with a complaint from Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in August 2022 outlining alleged corrupt practices in policy formulation that favored specific entities. The legal proceedings concerning the discharge order continue, with the Delhi High Court set to evaluate its implications.

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