Central Agencies Being Reduced to Tools of Political Intimidation

Mohammad Shafi, National Vice President of the Social Democratic Party of India, has said that the acquittal of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case by the Rouse Avenue Court marks a decisive setback to what he described as a politically driven prosecution.

He stated that the collapse of the CBI’s case under judicial scrutiny has exposed the weakness of the allegations that were repeatedly projected as evidence of large scale corruption. Claims of kickbacks and policy manipulation, widely circulated in public discourse, failed to stand the test of law. According to him, this outcome demonstrates that the case lacked substantive proof and was sustained more by narrative than by credible investigation.

Mohammad Shafi asserted that the verdict goes beyond the relief granted to two political leaders. It raises serious concerns about the increasing misuse of central investigative agencies. Institutions that are expected to function independently and impartially are, he said, being reduced to instruments of political intimidation. The arrests, prolonged incarceration and public vilification of opposition leaders, followed by the inability to secure conviction, reflect a troubling pattern.