New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case, while also directing a departmental inquiry against the CBI investigating officer (IO) for lapses in the probe.

Special Judge Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts discharged all 23 accused, holding that the chargesheet suffered from serious lacunae, internal contradictions and misleading averments, and was not supported by witness statements or evidence.

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In strong observations, the court said the “voluminous chargesheet” running into thousands of pages failed to establish a prima facie case and included material that did not corroborate the prosecution’s claims. It noted that several allegations were not backed by any recovery, documentary proof or testimony.

The judge said Sisodia’s alleged role in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy was not supported by evidence and that there was no material linking him to any criminal conspiracy.

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On Kejriwal, the court held that he was “implicated without any cogent material,” adding that such attribution was inconsistent with the rule of law, particularly when it concerned a person holding a constitutional post. In the absence of any statement or evidence connecting him to the alleged conspiracy, the charge could not be sustained, the court said.

The court also questioned why businessman Kuldeep Singh was made the first accused, observing that there was “absolutely no material” against him.

Finding serious investigative deficiencies, the judge ordered a departmental inquiry against the CBI IO, flagging the manner in which the case was probed and the chargesheet prepared.