Kejriwal Offers Prayers at Hanuman Temple After Court Relief

February 28, 2026

New Delhi: A day after a special court discharged Arvind Kejriwal and several others in the high-profile Delhi excise policy case, Kejriwal visited the ancient Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place to offer prayers and seek blessings. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor was accompanied by senior party leaders including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Durgesh Pathak as he performed pooja and archana at the temple.

Kejriwal’s temple visit, which took place on Saturday at around noon, followed the judicial relief he received on Friday, when a Rouse Avenue court discharged him, Sisodia, and 21 others in connection with alleged irregularities linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021-22.

Court Discharges Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

The special CBI court’s ruling marked a major development in the politically charged case that had kept Kejriwal and his colleagues under intense legal scrutiny for over two years. The court criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe, remarking that it lacked adequate evidence to support charges and failed to meet the legal threshold for framing accusations.

Following the discharge, AAP leaders welcomed the verdict as a vindication of their integrity and flagged concerns about the conduct of central investigating agencies. Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora described the court’s decision as a triumph of “truth and justice,” and demanded an apology from the BJP-led central government, asserting that the case reflected an attempt to misuse investigative bodies for political ends.

Temple Visit Symbolism and Political Gesture

Kejriwal’s visit to the Hanuman Temple attracted attention not only for its religious symbolism but also for its political undertones. In India, offering prayers at temples after moments of personal or professional relief is a common practice among politicians, and Kejriwal’s act was interpreted by supporters as a gesture of gratitude for the court’s decision.

At the temple, Kejriwal and his companions were seen bowing before the deity and seeking blessings for the well-being of the nation and the people of Delhi. AAP leaders present hailed the visit as an expression of faith and humility, underscoring the emotional significance of the moment following weeks of widespread debate around the excise policy case.

Political Reactions and Future Legal Challenges

While AAP celebrated the discharge and temple visit, the CBI has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court’s order and seeking to review or stay the discharge. The agency contends that critical aspects of the investigation were not fully explored and that certain evidence should be reconsidered.

The unfolding legal battle and Kejriwal’s public response have reignited political discourse on the use of investigative agencies in high-profile cases, especially those involving opposition leaders. AAP leaders, in public statements, reiterated their stance that the party faced undue political pressure and alleged harassment over the course of the case.

What the Discharge Means for Kejriwal and AAP

The excise policy case had loomed over Kejriwal’s political career and become a talking point in national debates about corruption, judicial scrutiny, and political rivalry. The discharge now provides a legal reprieve that AAP leaders hope to leverage ahead of future electoral battles. Critics and opponents, however, maintain that the case is far from over with the CBI’s appeal pending.

Kejriwal’s Hanuman Temple visit is likely to be remembered as a defining image in his post-discharge narrative blending faith, politics, and personal vindication in the public eye.