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Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday after eight hours of questioning. Manish is seen as Arvind Kejriwal's most trusted assistant.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is the face of Delhi's model education policy that is being promoted across the country.
Manish also sees himself at the center of the Aam Aadmi Party's expansion plan across the country.
What's the case against Manish Sisodia?
The CBI has arrested Manish in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Excise Policy 2021-22. Although this excise policy of the Delhi government has already been cancelled.
The CBI says that Manish was giving evasive answers during the interrogation. The CBI has alleged that Manish was not cooperating in the investigation. CBI claims there is concrete evidence against Manish. CBI will present Manish in court on Monday (today).
Aam Aadmi Party has rejected the CBI's claims. You have said that the ruling Center Bharatiya Janata Party had Manish arrested in a bogus case under dirty politics.
Earlier, on October 17 last year, the CBI had questioned Manish Sisodia. One month after this interrogation, the CBI filed a charge sheet, which does not name Manish Sisodia.
On August 17 last year, the CBI registered a case against Manish and 14 others citing the Home Office.
There is an allegation against Manish that he unfairly changed excise policy in favour of licensees. Based on this, the license fee was removed or reduced.
It is alleged that the liquor wholesaler's license was extended without official approval.
Vijay Nair, who was in charge of communication and media for the Aam Aadmi Party, is alleged to have received Rs 100 crore as an advance "bribe" from a "Southern Group" as the leader of the AAP.
What CBI said on Delhi excise policy
The CBI, in its statement, said that Manish Sisodia was questioned for hours in connection with excise policy and his alleged links to Dinesh Arora and other defendants named in the FIR. The agency said it did not find Sisodia's responses "satisfactory."
The CBI said: "He (Manish Sisodia) gave evasive answers and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary."
“The present case was registered against the Chief Deputy Minister and Minister of Excise in charge, GNCTD Delhi and 14 others to investigate the matter of alleged irregularities in the preparation and implementation of the Excise Policy for the year 2021-22 and the extension of post-bid benefits to the private sector. people," the CBI said.
This is what the agency said
- The case was registered against Sisodia, the excise minister, and 14 others for alleged irregularities in the making and implementation of the 2021-22 excise policy.
- A charge sheet was filed on December 25, 2022 against the then CEO of a Mumbai-based private company and 6 others.
- Sisodia received a notice to join the investigation on February 19 and requested a week's time citing her concern.
- He was called a second time after October 17, 2022 to answer questions that he evaded during the previous questioning and for additional questions related to his incriminating role based on evidence collected during the investigation of the case.
- However, he gave evasive answers and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Therefore, he has been arrested, the CBI said.
What is Delhi’s alleged liquor scam?
The alleged Delhi liquor scam of corruption and illegal activities that allegedly took place during the city's COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
According to news reports, several officials from the excise department of the Delhi government Delhi were involved in a scheme to illegally issue licenses for the home delivery of liquor during the lockdown, in violation of government orders.
The alleged scam came to light after complaints were filed with the Delhi government and police, alleging that certain liquor vendors were operating without valid licenses and charging exorbitant prices for home delivery of alcohol.
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government launched an investigation and several officials from the excise department were reportedly arrested and charged with corruption and other offences.
The alleged liquor scam was widely reported in the media and sparked outrage from many Delhi residents who were already struggling with the effects of the pandemic and lockdown.
The case is still ongoing and investigations into the alleged corruption and illegal activities related to the issuance of liquor licenses in Delhi are continuing.
Reaction on Manish's arrest
Well-known journalist Vir Sanghvi has tweeted that Manish Sisodia’s bail will be an interesting case.On what grounds can it be denied?The arrest has been imminent for months.If he wanted to tamper with evidence, influence witnesses or run away he has already had enough time to do that. But bail will be denied anyway I bet.
Renowned journalist Rana Ayyub, while posting the front page of the New York Times in August last year, wrote, "Manish Sisodia, the deputy Chief Minister of Delhi who was profiled by the front page of NYT last year for his successful education campaign has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The AAP has called it another act of vengeance by the Modi government.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has tweeted, "I am surprised that the Union Home Ministry allowed the CBI to interrogate and take action against Manish Sisodia without any homework." CBI has been after Manish for many days, but the result is zero.
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