New Delhi, February 28 – Delhi Law and Justice Minister Kapil Mishra reminded AAP National Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday that the relief offered to him by the trial court in the liquor policy case was not final, as the matter is now before the Delhi High Court.
“You have not been acquitted of corruption. The pain of the families affected by your liquor policy still remains,” Mishra said at a press conference.
He criticized Kejriwal for claiming innocence and getting emotional in front of the media, saying that both the High Court and the Supreme Court have made serious observations in the case.
“Despite these statements, you have never admitted any wrongdoing and continued to maintain a false image of honesty. And today, based on an order from a lower court, you are celebrating – but whom are you trying to deceive?” Mishra asked.
He said that after the trial court's reprieve, the "overacting and drama" attempted by Kejriwal – the very person who caused suffering to Delhi for 11 years – is something that the people of Delhi are aware of.
“Such overacting and theatrics were evident even when you were in power, and they continue even today. Had you truly understood the pain of Delhi then – or cared for Delhi even today – things would have been different,” Mishra said.
Questioning the now-scrapped liquor policy, Mishra asked, “Is it true that the liquor policy introduced in Delhi was withdrawn the moment complaints were filed against it? If the policy was based on honesty, why was it taken back?”
“Is it a fact that when the investigation began, Manish Sisodia and Kejriwal destroyed hundreds of mobile phones? This destruction of phones is on record. Why was there a need to destroy them if nothing wrong had been done?” he asked.
“Is it true that the commission for wholesale traders increased from 5% to 12%? Why was this done? Is the revenue loss mentioned in the CAG report not real?” he said, adding that the figures from the CAG are known to the people of Delhi and the entire nation.
He asked if it is true that while in power, Kejriwal promoted schemes like offering one bottle of liquor free with another.
Mishra said that under the now-scrapped policy, Delhi was pushed into deeper alcohol consumption, and countless families – especially mothers and sisters – suffered as a result of addiction and its consequences.
“Today, you claim honesty. But look at the state of Delhi’s roads over the past 11 years. Look at the condition of water and sewer systems, the state of the Yamuna, the air quality, the schools, the hospitals, and the Mohalla Clinics. Is this the legacy of your governance? These are symbols of corruption,” Mishra said.