Delhi Liquor Policy Case: From Reform Rollout to Acquittals- Complete Timeline

The Delhi liquor policy case began with an ambitious attempt to reform the capital's excise system in 2021 and evolved into a protracted legal battle involving multiple investigations, high-profile arrests and political upheaval. The latest development saw the Rouse Avenue Court acquit former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, bringing a dramatic turn in a case long scrutinised across legal and political circles.

2021: Policy Introduced

February 2021: A Group of Ministers led by then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain was formed to examine excise policy reforms.
17 November 2021: The Delhi government implemented the new excise policy for 2021-22, handing wholesale and retail liquor controls to private entities in a bid to boost revenue and modernise excise operations.

2022: Allegations Surface and Probes Begin

8 July 2022: Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar submitted a report to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagging alleged irregularities in the policy's formulation.
22 July 2022: The Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI probe.
19 August 2022: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR against 15 individuals, including Manish Sisodia.
20 August 2022: The CBI conducted searches at Sisodia's residence and other key locations.
22 August 2022: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a separate money laundering case linked to the policy.
1 September 2022: Facing mounting controversy, the Delhi government scrapped the 2021-22 excise policy and reverted to government-controlled liquor sales.
6 September 2022: The ED conducted searches at about 40 locations across the country.
25 November 2022: The ED filed its first chargesheet against seven accused, including liquor businessmen and government officials.
21 December 2022: BRS leader K. Kavitha was named in a supplementary chargesheet.

2023: Arrests and Escalation

7 January 2023: The ED filed another supplementary chargesheet naming Aurobindo Pharma director P. Sarath Chandra Reddy and Abhishek Boinpally.
26 February 2023: The CBI arrested Manish Sisodia after hours of questioning.
1 May 2023: The ED filed a new chargesheet alleging illegal funds were used to purchase land below market value linked to K. Kavitha and her husband.

2024: Arrest and Resignation of Arvind Kejriwal

21 March 2024: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED after the Delhi High Court refused protection from coercive action.
13 September 2024: The Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal with certain conditions.
17 September 2024: Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister of Delhi amid political fallout from the case.

2026: Acquittal of Kejriwal and Sisodia

27 February 2026: A special judge at the Rouse Avenue Court delivered the acquittal order in the case, clearing Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia of charges in the Delhi liquor policy case. Both leaders had completed their detailed submissions in court challenging and defending the material placed on record by the CBI.

Their acquittal comes after years of investigations, multiple chargesheets, arrests and protracted legal battles, prompting close attention from political and legal observers. The detailed reasoning in the acquittal order is expected to be analysed by experts as the case's long journey reaches a new chapter.

From the policy's introduction in 2021 to the acquittals in 2026, the Delhi liquor policy case has spanned legal scrutiny, major arrests and political consequences, reflecting its wide-ranging impact on governance, accountability and public discourse.