A day after a special court discharged him in the Delhi excise policy case, Arvind Kejriwal made an emotional appearance outside the court complex, describing the ruling as a vindication of his integrity. Visibly overwhelmed, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief struggled to compose himself as cameras captured the moment.

"It has been proved today... the court has said that Kejriwal is kattar imandaar (staunchly honest)," a tearful Kejriwal said. 

Kejriwal’s emotional reaction prompted his former deputy and co-accused in the case Manish Sisodia, who was also cleared of charges, to pull him in for a hug.

“Court verdict is evidence of my innocence. Truth always wins,” Kejriwal said, breaking down and urging that the Constitution not be turned into a joke.

He questioned why the BJP could not come to power by offering real solutions to issues such as corruption, unemployment and pollution, instead of trying to topple an elected government.

Outside the Rouse Avenue Court, Kejriwal was momentarily speechless. Removing his glasses and covering his eyes, he broke down as supporters and lawyers stood around him, patting his shoulders and asking him to remain strong.

“We were harassed. Debates were going on TV channels, and news was aired that Kejriwal is corrupt,” Kejriwal said, as he could no longer hold back his tears after appearing strong all this while. Sisodia stood beside him and embraced him as emotional scenes unfolded in the court premise.

Earlier, the special court had observed that serious allegations must be supported by substantive material and that assigning a central conspiratorial role without proof could not be sustained. It noted that public confidence in constitutional offices is weakened when prosecution claims are not backed by evidence.

While discharging Sisodia, the court said the prosecution’s case did not withstand judicial scrutiny and found no material suggesting criminal intent, observing that documents and witness statements reflected administrative deliberations rather than wrongdoing.

However, the legal battle is far from over. The Central Bureau of Investigation has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the discharge order. Officials said the agency has raised concerns that several aspects of the investigation were either overlooked or not adequately considered at the stage of framing charges.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to appeal in the high court against the judgment of the trial court immediately since several aspects of the investigation have either been ignored or not considered adequately," a spokesperson of the agency said in a statement, reported news agency PTI.

The special court had discharged Kejriwal, Sisodia and 21 others after declining to take cognisance of the CBI’s chargesheet. Among those given relief was K. Kavitha, president of Telangana Jagruthi. Special Judge Jitendra Singh criticised the agency for lapses in its probe, stating there was no cogent evidence against Kejriwal and no prima facie case against Sisodia and the other accused.

The CBI’s appeal sets the stage for further proceedings in the High Court as scrutiny continues over the now-scrapped excise policy introduced by the previous AAP government in the national capital.