Sibal Demands Accountability Following Court's Discharge of Kejriwal and Sisodia
Synopsis
Kapil Sibal applauds the Delhi court's discharge of Kejriwal and Sisodia, questioning accountability for their jail time and highlighting the lack of evidence in the CBI's excise policy case. This significant ruling could reshape the political landscape and accountability standards.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi court discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia, and others, questioning the evidence in the CBI case.
Kapil Sibal emphasized the need for accountability for their time in jail.
CBI's allegations of a Rs 100 crore scam were dismissed as unsubstantiated.
The ruling could impact future political cases and accountability standards.
The judgment marks a significant relief for the Aam Aadmi Party leaders after years of investigation.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (NationPress) Prominent lawyer Kapil Sibal expressed his approval on Saturday regarding the Delhi court's ruling to exonerate former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and a number of others involved in the CBI's excise policy case. He labeled the decision as "a crucial ruling" and raised concerns about accountability for the time they spent behind bars.
In his remarks following the verdict, Sibal pointed out that the court had dismissed the CBI's allegations against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and approximately 20–22 additional defendants, including K. Kavitha, discharging all parties involved.
He emphasized the need to address who would be held accountable for the 126 days Kejriwal was imprisoned and the 503 days Sisodia spent in custody.
“Accountability is essential. They claimed a scam involving Rs 100 crore, yet the judge indicated that the decision to implicate them seemed predetermined,” Sibal remarked, clarifying these were the judge's observations, not merely his personal opinions.
The court noted that it seemed the decision to charge the accused was made beforehand, suggesting a premeditated strategy—first identifying the targets and then seeking evidence to support that choice.
Sibal pointed out that the court highlighted the absence of any recovery, seizures, or established money trails by the investigative body. The court also criticized the approach of selecting whom to accuse before gathering supporting evidence.
On February 27, the court discharged all defendants in the CBI case, concluding that the prosecution had failed to present substantial evidence. It remarked that no criminal conspiracy could be proven, and the case appeared to be based solely on a single oral statement from Kuldeep Singh.
The Rouse Avenue Court provided significant relief to Kejriwal and Sisodia in the excise policy case by stating that the prosecution could not back its claims. The CBI had alleged that approximately Rs 100 crore was funneled by a "south lobby" to sway the 2021–22 excise policy, which was later annulled following an inquiry.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for the Aam Aadmi Party leaders after a lengthy investigation that has unfolded over several years.
Point of View
Emphasizing the need for substantive evidence and due process.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the court's decision in the CBI excise policy case?
The Delhi court discharged Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and several others, stating that the prosecution failed to present substantial evidence.
How long did Kejriwal and Sisodia spend in jail?
Kejriwal spent 126 days in jail, while Sisodia was incarcerated for 503 days.
What did Kapil Sibal say about accountability?
Sibal called for accountability regarding the time Kejriwal and Sisodia spent in jail, questioning who would take responsibility for their incarceration.
What were the CBI's allegations regarding the excise policy?
The CBI alleged that nearly Rs 100 crore was paid by a 'south lobby' to influence the 2021-22 excise policy.
What implications does this ruling have for future cases?
This ruling could set a precedent for accountability and the standards of evidence required in political cases in India.
