New Delhi: On Friday, a Delhi court passed an order closing the Delhi excise policy case while discharging all 23 accused, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha

The case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the accused was closed by Special Judge (PC Act) Jitender Singh, noting that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the excise policy. 

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The court pointed out that the prosecution case does not survive judicial scrutiny as the CBI had tried to construct a narrative of conspiracy on the basis of mere conjecture. No  prima facie case was made out against any of the 23 accused, the court found out while discharging all the accused, Bar and Bench quoted the court.

The court further pulled up the CBI officials, stating that it will recommend a departmental inquiry against the CBI officials who made a public servant (Kuldeep Singh) accused number one in the case.

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The case and the allegations of corruption against Delhi government came the 2021-22 excise (liquor) policy, introduced by the AAP government. The petitioners alleged that the police favoured select private entities through reduced fees and a fixed margin, allegedly generating kickbacks.

Following the controversy, the policy was scrapped and a CBI case was registered on a complaint made by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022.