REGULATORY · INDIA
Delhi excise policy corruption case against AAP leaders
Change
A Delhi court on Feb. 27, 2026 discharged former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (and 21 others) in an excise policy-related corruption case, refusing to take cognisance of the CBI charge sheet.
Why it matters
The Special Judge (Jitendra Singh) discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others, citing lacunae in the CBI charge sheet and lack of evidentiary support. By refusing to take cognisance, the court did not allow the case to proceed on the basis of the filed charge sheet against these individuals. This materially reduces immediate court-process burdens (e.g., framing of charges and trial progression) for the discharged accused in this matter. The decision also constrains the CBI’s ability to advance this specific filing without further court-acceptable evidentiary basis.
Implications
- • Trial-court proceedings on this CBI charge sheet stop for the discharged accused.
- • Immediate criminal-case exposure for Kejriwal/Sisodia in this matter is reduced.
- • CBI’s current evidentiary record was deemed insufficient by the court.
- • 21 additional accused receive the same discharge in this case.
Who is affected
- • Arvind Kejriwal (former Delhi Chief Minister)
- • Manish Sisodia (former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister)
- • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prosecutors/investigators
- • Other discharged accused named in the excise policy case (21 individuals)
Source
Topics
World & Politics Corruption & Accountability Law & Public Safety Court Rulings Criminal Justice