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Sunday, March 29, 2026
TopicDelhi excise policy

Topic: Delhi excise policy

Excise Policy or the Delhi Government Excise policy was introduced in November 2021 by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government. It aimed at modernizing alcohol sales in the city by allowing the setting up of a large number of private retail stores selling alcohol.

Within a year of the introduction of the policy, discrepancies were reported. Delhi’s Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reported a breach in the policy to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena, who then requested a CBI inquiry. It was alleged that the policy had loopholes that allowed for violations such as preferential treatment, discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during pandemic disruptions in exchange for kickbacks to the AAP politicians. The ED has arrested several AAP leaders, including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

How Delhi HC dealt with CBI challenge to trial court order discharging Kejriwal, Sisodia

Khadija Khan -
In its February order, trial court pulled up CBI for procedural ‘lapses’ & overly relying on ‘hearsay evidence’. It also recommended departmental inquiry against investigating officer.

Judge who upheld Kejriwal arrest to hear CBI challenge to discharge—her past orders in excise policy case

Ruchi Bhattar -
From Kejriwal, Sisodia, Sanjay Singh to BRS leader K. Kavitha, Delhi High Court judge Swarana Kanta Sharma's significant rulings in the high-profile case back in spotlight.

Judge’s ‘selective reading’: CBI’s 974-page challenge to Kejriwal discharge order in excise policy case

Khadija Khan -
On 27 February, a Delhi trial court dismissed the CBI case against the 23 accused in the Delhi liquor policy case, slamming the CBI for procedural lapses & reliance on hearsay evidence.

Kavitha, Vijay Nair & others: CBI couldn’t establish ‘money trail’ in Delhi excise policy case

Mayank Kumar -
Shifting dates to missing money trails, a court found CBI’s conspiracy theory was riddled with inconsistencies—collapsing the case against alleged 'South Group' and, with it, entire excise prosecution.

Delhi excise policy case: Why court dubbed CBI probe ‘choreographed’, pulled up IO for ‘manipulation’

Ruchi Bhattar -
CBI court criticised investigating officer, questioning whether the criminal design existed in conduct of accused or in the “manner in which the material has been presented by investigating officer”.

In clearing Kejriwal & Sisodia, court draws line—‘Can’t use criminal law to punish policy choices’

Ruchi Bhattar -
Judge says policy formulation is inherently experimental, & failure of policy or lawful profit earned by private players under it, doesn't by itself constitute criminality.

After clean chit in Delhi excise case, Kavitha quiet on reconciliation with her father KCR & family

Deepika Amirapu -
Former BRS leader, however, goes on to mention that the case against her was a vendetta on her father and that it was deflected on to her.

INDIA allies go all out after Delhi excise verdict, not Congress. Kejriwal asks did Rahul go to jail

Sourav Roy Barman -
On Friday, Congress fires first shot by suggesting that the relief to the AAP was part of a 'script'. Later in the day, AAP hits back at Congress.

What’s the CBI’s ‘misconception’ of legal positions that court flagged in Delhi excise case

Mayank Kumar -
Special Judge Jitendra Singh observed that for its case against Arvind Kejriwal and others, the CBI relied entirely on the statements of co-accused-turned-approvers.

Judge Jitendra Singh’s thrust on liberty, fair polls—Kejriwal case to Kapil Mishra tweets

Ruchi Bhattar -
Closer look at judge's record at Rouse Avenue shows consistency: scrutiny of prosecutors' conduct, insistence on constitutional safeguards & reminders that agencies are bound by rule of law.
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