On February 27, 2026, the Rouse Avenue Court delivered a monumental legal win for the Aam Aadmi Party by discharging both Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the protracted excise policy case. This pivotal moment saw the former Delhi Chief Minister overcome with emotion as he addressed the press in tears, asserting that the court’s decision serves as absolute validation of his “kattar imaandari,” or unwavering integrity.
A Moment of Catharsis: Kejriwal and Sisodia Break into Emotional Hug
The atmosphere outside the courtroom was charged as news of the discharge spread. Moments after the legal proceedings concluded, Arvind Kejriwal appeared before a swarm of cameras and supporters. Overcome with emotion, the former Chief Minister was momentarily speechless. He was seen removing his glasses and covering his eyes as he struggled to maintain his composure. As supporters and lawyers patted his shoulders, urging him to stay strong, the weight of the years-long legal battle seemed to take hold.
The most poignant moment occurred when Manish Sisodia, who was also cleared of all charges, stepped forward to pull Kejriwal into a tight embrace. Kejriwal, no longer able to hold back his tears, buried his face in Sisodia’s chest. This emotional reunion followed years of incarceration and intense public scrutiny for both leaders. Kejriwal noted that while they had appeared strong throughout the ordeal, the constant media debates and allegations of corruption had taken a significant toll. “We were harassed,” he said, wiping away tears. “Debates were going on TV channels, and news was aired that Kejriwal is corrupt.”
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The Court’s Verdict: A Blow to the Prosecution’s Narrative
The Rouse Avenue Court’s decision to discharge all 23 accused in the case was based on a fundamental lack of evidence. In its detailed observation, the court flagged that the CBI had failed to substantiate its claims of a central conspiratorial role played by Kejriwal. The judge noted that serious allegations of this nature must be supported by material evidence, and in this instance, the prosecution’s narrative was found to be speculative and legally untenable.
Regarding Manish Sisodia, the court held that the documents and witness statements provided by the CBI pointed toward routine administrative deliberations rather than any criminal intent or wrongdoing. The court further emphasized that the framing of the excise policy had been conducted through established institutional safeguards. One of the most stinging rebukes from the bench was the observation that public confidence in constitutional offices is severely undermined when the state brings forward prosecution claims that lack supporting material.
Defending the “Kattar Imaandar” Image
For Arvind Kejriwal, the court’s discharge is more than a legal acquittal; it is a moral vindication of the core identity of his political movement. “It has been proved today… the court has said that Kejriwal is kattar imaandar,” he stated. He described the verdict as evidence of his innocence and a victory for truth, asserting that his commitment to honesty had finally been validated by the judiciary.
Kejriwal used the occasion to question the political motivations behind the case. He urged that the Constitution should not be turned into a “joke” for political gains. Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he asked why the opposition could not focus on offering real solutions to issues like corruption, unemployment, and pollution instead of attempting to topple an elected government through investigative agencies. He characterized the entire legal saga as a “lust for power” by his political rivals rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
Legal Closure and the Road Ahead
Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vivek Jain, confirmed that the court meticulously examined every shred of evidence produced by the CBI and found that none of the allegations crossed the threshold required to frame a charge. The court’s decision to close the case against Sisodia and Kejriwal effectively brings an end to a four-year probe that began in 2022, though reports suggest the CBI may consider moving the High Court against the discharge.
For now, the AAP leadership is treating the day as one of total celebration and relief. Sunita Kejriwal, the former CM’s wife, expressed her gratitude to the judiciary, stating that the family had endured immense “atrocity” during the period her husband was in jail. As rose petals were showered over the leaders by jubilant supporters, the party signaled that it intends to use this “clean chit” to rebuild its narrative ahead of future electoral battles, centering once again on the image of unwavering integrity that the court has now reinforced.