Social activist Anna Hazare welcomed the discharge of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, urging acceptance of the judiciary’s verdict and calling on the former Delhi chief executive to focus on service for society and the nation rather than personal or partisan interests. Hazare’s remarks came during a news interaction in Pune where he underscored the authority of the judicial system after the Rouse Avenue Court discharged Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 21 others, finding that the evidence presented by investigators failed to demonstrate an “overarching conspiracy or criminal intent” in the formulation of the 2021–22 liquor policy. The court’s decision marks a legal reset for Kejriwal and fellow accused, whose prosecution had influenced political narratives and debates across India’s political landscape. Hazare stressed that the judiciary is the supreme institution in a democratic system and its decisions must be respected by all sectors of society, irrespective of political alignment. Speaking from his village Ralegan Siddhi, he said the strength of India’s democratic framework depends on public acceptance of judicial rulings, with failure to do so risking erosion of social trust in institutions. Hazare noted that his past criticisms of Kejriwal regarding the excise case were made before any court verdict was delivered and that once the court clarified that Kejriwal had no role in the alleged wrongdoing, the decision simply had to be honoured. The activist also described both Kejriwal and Sisodia as his “karyakartas” from earlier days of their public work.
Hazare, a central figure in the 2011 India Against Corruption movement that propelled the campaign for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, has had a complex relationship with Kejriwal since the movement evolved into political formation. He reminded reporters that once political ambitions overshadow public interest, it challenges the integrity of activism and governance, and encouraged Kejriwal to prioritise societal welfare over electoral calculations. The call for renewed focus on public service resonates against the backdrop of Kejriwal’s own narrative that the legal outcome reflects vindication of his stance that the case was politically motivated.
The excise policy case had embroiled Kejriwal since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in March 2024 and subsequent detention before being released on bail, with allegations by investigative agencies that the policy benefited selected liquor firms through higher profit margins that enabled alleged kickbacks. The prosecution’s charge sheet had formed a key plank of criticism by opposition parties against Kejriwal and the AAP, contributing to contentious debates on the use of investigative powers in politically charged cases. The court’s dismissal of the case at a prima facie stage has been framed by supporters as a rejection of that narrative, and by critics as a setback for accountability.
Political responses to the ruling have been split along familiar lines. Leaders from Kejriwal’s party and allied regional entities have celebrated the court’s decision as confirmation of their long-held assertions of political vendetta and misuse of agencies. Punjab AAP president Aman Arora demanded apologies from national leadership for what he described as an attempt to defame opposition figures, while others characterised the outcome as a broader indication of the need to respect legal processes. Conversely, political figures aligned with the ruling party at the national level contested the implications of the acquittal for public perception, maintaining that legal clearance does not absolve public accountability in the eyes of the electorate.