Mehbooba Mufti Slams “High-Handedness” of Agencies After Arvind Kejriwal Discharge

February 28, 2026 – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has launched a scathing attack on the functioning of central investigative agencies following the discharge of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and BRS leader K. Kavitha in the high-profile excise policy case.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mufti asserted that the court’s decision to drop charges against the leaders serves as a glaring indictment of the “high-handedness” and “weaponisation” of state institutions for political ends.

“Justice is the First Casualty”

Mufti’s remarks came shortly after a Delhi Special Court refused to take cognisance of the CBI’s chargesheet, citing a lack of credible evidence and significant procedural lapses. In her post, the PDP leader expressed deep concern over the human cost of such legal battles.

“When investigative agencies are wielded like political swords, justice becomes the first casualty, and truth surfaces only after years of pain and tears,” Mufti wrote.

She further highlighted the discrepancy between the severity of the legal action taken and the eventual judicial findings, noting that despite “years of incarceration,” the court found no prima facie case and no credible evidence to sustain the charges.

Key Highlights of the Court’s Decision

The discharge of the AAP leadership and 21 others marks a significant turn in a case that has dominated the national political landscape for nearly three years.

Concerns Over “Weaponisation” of Institutions

Mufti’s critique extends beyond the specific case of the Delhi excise policy. She described the misuse of power as a “dangerous” trend that continues “unabated” in the country. Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among several Opposition leaders who have long accused the ruling BJP-led central government of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to stifle dissent and dismantle political rivals.

“Nothing is more dangerous than the misuse of power and the weaponisation of institutions,” she added, warning that such tactics undermine the democratic fabric of the nation.

Broader Political Context

The discharge order has revitalized the Opposition’s narrative regarding “political vendetta.” Other leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD’s Manoj Jha, have echoed Mufti’s sentiments, calling the verdict a “moral victory” and a “death sentence” for the credibility of the agencies involved.

For Mehbooba Mufti, who has herself faced multiple summons and investigations in recent years, this verdict is seen as a vindication of the stance that central agencies are increasingly being utilized as tools for electoral strategy rather than impartial law enforcement.