Lower court verdict not a clean chit: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

Reacting to the discharge of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia by a Delhi court in the alleged liquor scam case, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday emphasised that the lower court’s decision does not amount to a clean chit and alleged that evidence in the case had been tampered with.

Gupta said, “The verdict delivered by the trial court is part of the legal process, not the final truth. The truth will ultimately prevail, and Kejriwal should not shed crocodile tears. Bail and acquittal are two different things in legal terms.”

The Chief Minister questioned several aspects of the excise policy implemented during Kejriwal’s tenure. “If the liquor policy was so excellent and revenue-enhancing, why was it withdrawn as soon as the investigation began? Why was there a U-turn by scrapping the new policy and reverting to the old one? Who benefited from the increase in wholesale profit margin from five to 12 per cent? The former Chief Minister must answer these questions,” she said.

Gupta also raised concerns about the destruction of mobile phones and digital records during the investigation. “During the investigation, around 160-170 mobile phones were changed in approximately 200 days. Why were such actions necessary? Why were questions raised regarding digital records? If there was nothing to hide, why did these circumstances arise? All of this creates serious suspicion,” she said, citing earlier observations by the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court about prima facie indications of financial irregularities.

The CM further pointed to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which indicated potential revenue losses of thousands of crores. “That money belongs to the people of Delhi. Public trust is the greatest capital of any government. If that trust has been shaken, accountability must be fixed,” she said.

Echoing the call for accountability, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the Rouse Avenue Court judgment highlighted gaps in evidence. “The court clearly indicated a lack of evidence. The investigating agency has repeatedly maintained that Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were involved in destroying evidence, including SIM cards and mobile phones. Details regarding these have not been provided,” he said.

Senior BJP leader RP Singh also weighed in, stating, “This is a lower court verdict. The CBI has the right to go to the next court. There are still more cases pending against Kejriwal. The truth will be revealed after the next court decision.”

North-East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari noted that the investigating agency could challenge the verdict. “Corruption and corrupt people cannot mislead the law for long by destroying evidence. The CBI has the right to appeal in the High Court, and the truth will come out,” he said.

Tiwari said, “The reality about Kejriwal is clear to Delhi’s mothers and sisters, whose children were affected by alcoholism, as well as to the traders involved in commission schemes.”