Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti Gets 3-Year Jail in FD Fraud Datia legislator convicted by Delhi MP-MLA court in 27-year-old cooperative bank fraud; bail granted but Assembly membership hangs in balance

Conviction After Nearly Three Decades

In a significant legal development that has sent ripples through Madhya Pradesh's political landscape, Datia Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti — a three-time legislator and senior party leader — has been convicted by a Delhi MP-MLA court in a long-pending cooperative bank fraud case. The Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi sentenced him to three years in jail on Thursday, though it simultaneously granted him bail. The verdict puts his Assembly membership under immediate threat.

Special Judge (MP-MLA) convicted Bharti and co-accused Raghubir Sharan Prajapati for cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy. The court found Bharti guilty of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, read with Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471.

The Fraud That Spanned 13 Years

The case traces back to August 24, 1998, when a fixed deposit of ₹10 lakh was opened at the Zila Sahkari Krishi Aur Grahmin Vikas Bank for a three-year term at an interest rate of 13.5% per annum, in the name of a trust linked to Bharti's family.

Instead of claiming the interest upon maturity, annual interest payments of ₹1.35 lakh began being withdrawn from 1999 and continued for 13 years, until 2011, in violation of FD terms. According to the prosecution, Bharti misused his official position and tampered with the documents to extend the tenure, and later in 2004, the documents were altered again to extend the FD's tenure by approximately another 10 years, allowing him to continue receiving higher interest returns.

Court Rejects Political Motivation Claim

Bharti had argued throughout the trial that the case was politically motivated. However, the court rejected this contention outright, observing that "the argument by Bharti that he is politically targeted or that the prosecution is politically motivated is all speculation."

Justice Dig Vinay Singh held that the evidence established Bharti's role in the conspiracy, noting his dual position as trustee of the beneficiary trust and chairman of the bank during the period when the funds were misappropriated through forged documents.

How the Case Reached Delhi

A criminal complaint under Section 200 of the CrPC was filed on July 29, 2015, by the bank against Savitri Shyam and her son Rajendra Bharti. The third accused, Savitri Shyam, passed away during the trial.

Bharti had approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case, claiming that local circumstances and political interference could impede a fair hearing. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Bharti, argued that the criminal proceedings were politically motivated and aimed solely at disqualifying the MLA from the Assembly. The Supreme Court transferred the matter to Delhi in October 2025, where it was heard to its conclusion.

Membership Hangs by a Thread

If Bharti is sentenced to more than two years, he may lose his Assembly membership, triggering a by-election in Datia. Legal experts note that he has 60 days to file an appeal, and if he secures a stay on the sentence from the High Court, his membership could remain intact in the interim.

Bharti had defeated senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra in the 2023 Assembly elections, making the Datia seat politically significant. His son Anuj Bharti confirmed that they intend to challenge the verdict before the High Court.

Congress Takes a Hit

The state Congress has suffered a setback with this verdict. In a separate case, the High Court recently found Congress legislator Mukesh Malhotra from Vijaypur guilty in a corruption case, though he obtained relief from the Supreme Court. The back-to-back legal setbacks have put the party on the defensive in Madhya Pradesh.

Political activity in the Datia constituency has intensified since the verdict. With a three-year sentence confirmed, a possible vacancy in the seat would necessitate a by-election — one that both the Congress and BJP are already watching closely.

What Happens Next

The case now moves to the appellate stage. Bharti's legal team is expected to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court for a stay on the sentence at the earliest. Until such relief is granted, his legislative future remains uncertain. The coming weeks will be closely watched by both the political establishment and election authorities.

In a dramatic turn of events that sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the national capital, a Delhi court on Friday acquitted former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia in the high-profile corruption case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. The Rouse Avenue Court discharged all 23 accused in the case, handing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a massive legal and political victory while triggering an immediate promise of appeal from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

As the verdict was pronounced, the courtroom atmosphere shifted from tense anticipation to jubilation for AAP supporters. But it was the sight of a visibly emotional Arvind Kejriwal outside the courtroom that became the defining image of the day.

'I am Kattar Imaandar': Kejriwal Breaks Down

Fighting back tears while addressing the media huddle outside the court, a choked-up Arvind Kejriwal struggled to maintain his composure as he hit out at the central government. "For the past few years, the BJP has been levelling accusations against us. Today, the court dismissed all charges. I am deeply grateful to the judge who gave us justice. Truth has prevailed," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

In a moment that resonated with party workers, Kejriwal declared his integrity in no uncertain terms. "I am kattar imaandar (extremely honest). Modi and Amit Shah together hatched the biggest political conspiracy in independent India. Five of AAP's most prominent leaders were jailed to destroy the party. A sitting Chief Minister was dragged from his home and imprisoned for six months," he added as tears streamed down his face.

Manish Sisodia, who spent nearly two years in judicial custody, echoed the sentiment. "The country has seen how central agencies were misused. We knocked on the doors of the court, and the court has protected us," Sisodia said after the verdict.

 'No Overarching Conspiracy': What the Court Said

Special Judge Jitendra Singh, while passing the order closing the case initiated by the CBI, made observations that pulled up the investigating agency. The court ruled that there was "no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the excise policy."

In a sharp rebuke to the probe agency, the court directed a departmental inquiry against specific CBI officials. The judge criticized the agency for building its case primarily through approver statements, calling the practice a "grave violation of Constitutional principles."

"The conduct where an accused is granted pardon and then made an approver, his statements used to fill the gaps in the investigation and make additional people accused, is wrong," the court observed, effectively dismantling the core of the prosecution's case.

The Political Fallout: Celebrations and Challenges

As news of the acquittal spread, celebrations erupted outside Kejriwal's residence and at AAP offices across the country. Party workers burst crackers, distributed sweets, and chanted slogans hailing the "victory of truth."

Sunita Kejriwal, the former CM's wife, posted on X: "In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always prevails." Former Delhi CM Atishi added, "No matter how many false accusations are made, no matter how much oppression is carried out, in the end, truth prevails."

However, the legal battle is far from over. CBI sources confirmed that the agency will immediately move the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court's order. A CBI spokesperson stated that key aspects of the investigation were not adequately considered and that the evidence collected during the probe had established key elements of the alleged irregularities.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya was quick to point out that the verdict came from a lower court on technical grounds. "The legal process is not over yet. If Kejriwal was honest, why was the policy withdrawn after signs of irregularities?" he questioned.

What Was the Liquor Policy Case?

The case dates back to 2022 when the CBI filed an FIR based on a complaint by then Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The probe alleged that the 2021-22 Excise Policy was manipulated to enable liquor trade monopolization and cartelization, with AAP leaders allegedly receiving kickbacks.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, 2024, and later by the CBI on June 26. The Supreme Court granted him bail in July 2024 after he spent five months in jail. Friday's verdict now acquits him and 22 others of all charges in the CBI case, though the agency's impending appeal in the High Court means the legal saga continues.

For now, AAP is savoring what it calls a "historic victory," with party MP Sanjay Singh demanding an apology from Prime Minister Modi. As the dust settles on one of the most politically charged cases in recent history, the verdict has reignited debates on the misuse of investigative agencies—a conversation that is far from over.

In a major political development, Arvind Kejriwal acquitted headlines dominated national discourse after the Rouse Avenue Court cleared the former Delhi Chief Minister and 23 others in the high-profile Delhi liquor policy case. The verdict, delivered earlier today, brings significant relief to Kejriwal and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who were facing charges in the CBI case.

The court stated that the allegations could not be proven due to lack of concrete evidence. The judgment marks a dramatic turn in one of the most politically charged legal battles in recent years.

Emotional Moments Outside Court

Shortly after the verdict, Kejriwal stepped out of the courtroom visibly emotional. While addressing the media, he broke down and said, “I have earned honesty my entire life. They filed a false case. Today it has been proven that Kejriwal is fiercely honest.”

Standing beside him, Manish Sisodia was seen consoling the former Chief Minister. The two leaders hugged, and Kejriwal’s legal team offered support as cameras captured the emotional moment.

The Rouse Avenue Court verdict quickly became a trending topic across social media platforms, reflecting the case’s national significance.

Grand Welcome at Home

After leaving the court, Kejriwal returned to his residence, where heartfelt scenes unfolded. His wife, Sunita Kejriwal, ran towards him and embraced him warmly. His daughter and son stood nearby as the family shared emotional moments.

Sunita Kejriwal later took to X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“In this world, no matter how powerful one becomes, one cannot rise above Shiva Shakti. Truth always triumphs.”

The family welcomed Kejriwal and Sisodia with flowers, symbolizing both relief and celebration after months of political and legal uncertainty.

AAP Supporters Celebrate Across Delhi

Supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party celebrated the acquittal outside party offices in Delhi. Sweets were distributed, and party workers were seen dancing in joy.

Former Delhi CM Atishi visited Sisodia at his residence, where the two shared an emotional hug. The moment signaled unity within the party following the court’s decision.

Meanwhile, in Telangana, supporters of K. Kavitha—also named in the liquor policy case—celebrated the verdict. Kavitha greeted her supporters with folded hands as festivities broke out.

Why This Verdict Matters Now

The Delhi liquor policy case has been a major flashpoint in Indian politics, shaping narratives around governance, corruption allegations, and federal investigative actions. With elections and political alignments constantly evolving, today’s verdict could influence public perception and party strategies in the coming months.

Political analysts suggest that the acquittal may strengthen AAP’s narrative of political targeting. However, experts caution that legal proceedings in related matters may still shape the broader political landscape.

What’s Next?

While Arvind Kejriwal acquitted is the headline of the day, the political ramifications will unfold over time. For now, the images of a tearful leader embracing his family and party colleagues reflect both personal relief and a significant moment in contemporary Indian politics.

As celebrations continue, the verdict stands as a reminder that in the legal system, evidence remains the cornerstone of justice.