Full list of 23 accused acquitted in Delhi excise policy case: Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha and others

NEW DELHI: Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia have been discharged in the Delhi excise policy case by the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday.Delivering its order on Friday, the court said the alleged central conspiratorial role attributed to the two leaders could not be substantiated. The court observed that the allegations had "failed judicial scrutiny" and found "no criminal intent" on the part of Manish Sisodia. It further stated that the conspiracy theory "cannot survive against one constitutional authority."In total, 23 accused have been acquitted (Full list)The case relates to the now-scrapped excise policy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed its first chargesheet in 2022, followed by multiple supplementary chargesheets. The agency has alleged that Rs 100 crore was paid by a "south lobby" to influence the policy in its favour.During arguments, the CBI maintained that the offence of criminal conspiracy must be viewed in its entirety and that the sufficiency of evidence should be tested during trial. Represented by Additional Solicitor General D P Singh and advocate Manu Mishra, the agency argued that there was adequate material to frame charges against all the accused.Appearing for Mr Kejriwal, senior advocate N Hariharan contended that there was no incriminating material linking his client to the alleged conspiracy. He argued that the fourth supplementary chargesheet naming Mr Kejriwal merely repackaged earlier allegations and that he was performing his official duties as Chief Minister.Hariharan further submitted that Mr Kejriwal was not named in the initial chargesheet or in three earlier supplementary chargesheets and that his name appeared only in the fourth. The defence also questioned the basis of further investigation and the evidentiary value of statements, including that of approver Raghav Magunta.Reacting to the verdict, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Arvind Kejriwal, posted: "In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always prevails."