Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, after being discharged by the court in the Delhi excise policy case. He said his faith in Mata Rani has remained unwavering throughout his life, including during the time he spent in jail.

While speaking to reporters in Katra, Sisodia expressed gratitude following the trial court verdict that cleared all 23 accused in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021 to 2022 case. He said everything he has achieved in life has been due to the blessings of Mata Rani and that he has been visiting the shrine since childhood. Sisodia added that he credits both the good and difficult phases of his life to the deity. He said when he received recognition and praise, he believed it was her blessing, and even during his imprisonment, he accepted it as part of her will. After being released, he said he continued to express gratitude.

Calling the trial court decision a historic verdict, Sisodia said the ruling proved the case had no merit and described it as a result of divine blessings. The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the operation of adverse remarks made against the Central Bureau of Investigation and the investigating officer in the trial court order that discharged the accused in the excise policy case. The court also directed the trial court to pause proceedings in the related Prevention of Money Laundering Act case until the matter is heard further.

The order was issued by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma while hearing an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging the discharge order. The appeal follows a February 27 ruling by the Rouse Avenue Court that discharged former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others, stating that no prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy was found in connection with the scrapped excise policy.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.