Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday paid obeisance at the holy Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, shortly after his release from jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Speaking to the media after the 'darshan', Sisodia said his faith in Mata Vaishno Devi never waivered even during his imprisonment.
Expressing gratitude following the trial court’s verdict during which all 23 were discharged, including himself, in the 2021 excise policy case, he described the ruling as a 'historic verdict' that proved the case was false and lacked merit.
Sisodia said, “Whatever I have received in life, whatever I am, I never imagined it. But the fact is that I have always dedicated myself to the feet of Mata Rani. I have been coming here since childhood and have immense faith in Mata Rani.” He added, “The shrine holds immense importance in my life during good and bad times. When I was hearing praise and becoming famous and receiving honours, I would say that she has given me all this. Even when I was sent to jail, I told her that she had sent me to jail. When I came out, I still thanked her.”
The Rouse Avenue Court’s February 27 order discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others, stating that no prima facie case of criminal conspiracy was established in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy. The trial court also made strong observations regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the investigating officer.
The Delhi High Court, in a related development, directed the trial court to defer proceedings in the connected Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case until further hearing.
The order was passed by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma while hearing an appeal filed by the CBI challenging the discharge order.
Also read: Delhi excise case: CBI files revision petition, hearing on Mar 9
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