Pune: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Friday welcomed the court’s decision to discharge AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, stressing that the judiciary is supreme and its verdict must be accepted by all.
Speaking to reporters from his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district, Hazare said India’s democratic structure rests firmly on the strength of its judicial system.
“Our country runs on the judiciary. The judicial system is the supreme system in the country,” he said. “Ours is a vast country with multiple political parties, castes, creeds and religions, and yet it functions properly because of the judicial system.”
Court Discharges Kejriwal, Sisodia and Others
A court in New Delhi on Friday discharged Kejriwal, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the politically sensitive liquor policy case.
The court also pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stating that it found no “overarching conspiracy or criminal intent” in the formulation of the excise policy.
Kejriwal had been arrested on March 21, 2024, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the case and was later taken into custody by the CBI, which was probing corruption allegations. After spending 155 days in jail, he was released on bail.
“We Must Respect the Judiciary”
Hazare clarified that his earlier criticism of Kejriwal came at a time when allegations were still under investigation and no judicial verdict had been delivered.
“Whatever I had said about Arvind Kejriwal regarding his involvement in the case was before any decision had come from the judiciary. At that time, the allegations were in the air,” he explained.
“Now the judiciary has given its verdict that he had no role in the wrongdoing. We have to accept the verdict. In our democracy, we must respect the judiciary,” he added.
He further warned that without a strong judicial system, criminal elements could gain the upper hand, potentially leading to instability and chaos.
Hazare’s Advice to Kejriwal
Referring to both Kejriwal and Sisodia as his former “karyakartas” (volunteers), Hazare said they were once key members of his anti-corruption movement.
“He was my karyakarta. He and Manish Sisodia were my karyakartas,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give Kejriwal now, Hazare responded:
“Work for society and the country. Do not think about the self or the party.”
From Anti-Corruption Movement to Political Split
Hazare, Kejriwal and Sisodia were prominent faces of the 2011 ‘India Against Corruption’ movement, which demanded the enactment of a strong Jan Lokpal Bill. The mass mobilisation significantly challenged the then Congress-led UPA government.
However, differences emerged after Kejriwal launched the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and formally entered electoral politics. Hazare chose to distance himself from the political route, maintaining his stance as a non-partisan social activist.
Following Kejriwal’s arrest in March 2024, Hazare had sharply criticised him, calling it ironic that a leader of the Jan Lokpal movement was facing corruption allegations. He had also accused Kejriwal of betraying public trust and lamented that political ambitions had weakened the original anti-corruption cause.
With the court now discharging Kejriwal and others, Hazare has signalled closure on the matter, reiterating that in a democracy, the judiciary’s word is final.