Delhi Chief Minister and BJP Leaders Decry Court's Liquor Policy Verdict as Incomplete Justice
In a sharp critique of the trial court's recent decision, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared that Arvind Kejriwal remains guilty in the eyes of the people, asserting that the verdict is not the final truth. "The truth will ultimately prevail," she stated, emphasizing that portraying this outcome as a clean chit is misleading the public. Her party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has condemned the court's ruling as a "miscarriage of justice," pointing to past observations from various courts, including the Supreme Court, particularly regarding the role of Manish Sisodia, who was discharged in the case on Friday.
Unanswered Questions on Excise Policy Changes and Financial Benefits
The Chief Minister raised a series of pointed questions, insisting that Delhiites deserve clear answers. "If the liquor policy was so excellent and revenue-enhancing, why was it withdrawn immediately after the investigation began?" she asked. Gupta highlighted the increase in wholesale profit margins from 5% to 12%, demanding to know who benefited from this change. She also questioned the alterations to the licensing structure, which later sparked serious concerns, and under what circumstances these modifications were made. "The former chief minister (Kejriwal) must answer these questions," she asserted, underscoring the need for accountability.
Evidence Destruction and Legal Process Concerns
Gupta revealed that during the investigation, it emerged that approximately 160 to 170 mobile phones were changed over a span of about 200 days. "What was the need to change so many phones?" she queried, suggesting potential evidence tampering. She clarified that the court's reference to a lack of evidence does not equate to innocence, noting that insufficient evidence and being completely innocent are distinct concepts. "The legal process is not yet complete, and the matter may go to the high court," she added, while affirming her government's respect for the judiciary and court decisions.
BJP Leaders Express Astonishment and Highlight Past Court Remarks
BJP functionary Amit Malviya expressed "astonishment" at the latest development, drawing attention to remarks from different courts that denied bail to Sisodia. Sisodia, who served as deputy chief minister and oversaw the excise department during the controversial 2020-2021 liquor policy rollout, faced corruption charges before the policy was scrapped. Malviya stated, "This order, in light of the record so far, raises serious concerns... The legal battle is far from over, but for many citizens, this order raises troubling questions about accountability and justice in high public office."
Technical Issues and Public Verdict in Elections
As the 598-page judgment sparked discussions within party circles, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned the court's decision to discharge the accused due to lack of evidence, despite earlier cognisance of the chargesheet. He noted that hundreds of mobile phones and SIM cards, which were evidence in the case, had been destroyed, wondering if this contributed to the evidence shortfall. Trivedi mentioned that the CBI will investigate such technical issues, adding that while the agency decides its next steps, the public has already delivered its verdict by defeating Kejriwal in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections.
Continued Allegations and Calls for High Court Appeal
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva reiterated that the judgment highlighted a lack of evidence, but the investigating agency consistently maintained that Kejriwal and Sisodia were involved in destroying evidence. He pointed out that details of the allegedly destroyed SIM cards and mobile phones have not been provided to date, a fact also mentioned in the court's decision. Sachdeva echoed the demand for answers on the excise policy, asking why it was withdrawn post-investigation, the objective behind increasing contractor commissions, and the rationale for introducing a ‘buy one, get one free' scheme.
Former Delhi BJP president and MP Manoj Tiwari, speaking alongside Delhi BJP media chief Praveen Shankar Kapoor, asserted that corruption and corrupt individuals cannot evade the law indefinitely by destroying evidence. He suggested that a CBI appeal in the high court could potentially overturn the lower court's decision, keeping the legal battle alive.
