From MK Stalin To KTR: Opposition Voices Back Kejriwal & Sisodia After Delhi Court Discharge In Excise Case

In a major development in the Delhi Excise Policy case, the Rouse Avenue Court discharged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

The court refused to take cognisance of the CBI chargesheet, effectively giving relief to both leaders in the alleged liquor policy corruption case.

Soon after the verdict, celebrations broke out among AAP supporters. Sisodia was seen hugging Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi and sharing sweets with party workers as he reached his residence.

What the Court Said

The case was related to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy, which the BJP had called a major corruption scandal. However, the Rouse Avenue Court discharged both Kejriwal and Sisodia, stating that it would not proceed with the CBI's chargesheet.

The verdict comes after months of investigation and political debate. Both leaders had spent time in jail during the course of the probe. A sitting Chief Minister, Kejriwal had remained in custody for nearly six months.

AAP Calls It a Victory of Truth

Reacting to the court's decision, Atishi said the verdict proved that "truth always wins in the end." She alleged that the BJP had tried every possible method to defame AAP leaders.

According to her, the court's decision makes it clear that neither Kejriwal nor Sisodia was involved in corruption. She added that AAP had not committed corruption of "even Re 1" and demanded that BJP leaders apologise publicly.

Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj also reacted strongly. He said the verdict was significant because both leaders had already faced imprisonment. He criticised the treatment of Kejriwal during his jail term and accused political opponents of targeting AAP unfairly.

After the court order, Kejriwal and Sisodia were welcomed warmly by family members at their residence. Party leaders and supporters celebrated the moment as a major political relief.

Opposition Leaders React

Several opposition leaders across India expressed support for Kejriwal and Sisodia.

KTR's Statement

K. T. Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, said on social media that the AAP government was brought down in the name of a "so-called liquor scam." He claimed that similar cases against leaders from his party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), were politically motivated.

He stated that justice would ultimately prevail and criticised what he called "media trials" and reckless allegations. According to him, in today's "New India," accusations are often made before evidence is presented, but in the end, truth wins.

Akhilesh Yadav's Remarks

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also welcomed the verdict. He said that truth and justice stood with Kejriwal. In a strongly worded message, he accused the BJP of betraying the people of Delhi and called the verdict a moral setback for the ruling party.

MK Stalin's Response

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin criticised the Union government. He said investigating agencies should not be used for short-term political gains and congratulated Kejriwal and Sisodia for standing firm during the case.

BJP Responds

On the other hand, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said the lower court's decision was based on lack of proof at this stage. He pointed out that the issue involved technical matters and alleged that many mobile phones and SIM cards had been destroyed.

He stated that the CBI would take appropriate steps regarding the alleged destruction of evidence and that the party would respond in detail after reviewing the full judgment. He also questioned how charges could have been framed earlier if they were completely baseless.

The Delhi Excise Policy case had become one of the most high-profile political controversies in recent years. It led to intense debates between AAP and the BJP, arrests of top leaders, and strong media coverage.

With the court discharging Kejriwal and Sisodia, AAP leaders are calling it a major moral and political victory. However, the BJP maintains that the legal process is not over and further steps may follow.

The verdict is likely to have political consequences not just in Delhi but also at the national level. For AAP, it strengthens the narrative that its leaders were falsely targeted. For the BJP, the focus may now shift to the next legal course of action.

As political statements continue to pour in, one thing is clear: the Delhi Excise Policy case has left a deep mark on India's political landscape. Whether this verdict closes the chapter or opens a new phase of legal battle remains to be seen.