Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday under alleged corruption in the currently brawling liquor policy for 2021-22. He was interrogated by CBI officials for over eight hours.
Excise Policy 2021-22
The policy was formed by Delhi’s Aam Aadmi government and was implemented on November 17, 2021. Under this policy, 849 were given to private companies through open bids of liquor. The city was divided into 32 areas, each of which had a maximum of 27 vends. Instead of a personal license, bid zone-by-zone was done.
The Delhi government was backlashed for its new policy and soon they were forced to switch to the new excise regime in July last year. It was said that Kejriwal used the policy to make additional funds.
Manish Sisodia: Participation in Case
Delhi’s Chief Secretary reported that Manish Sisodia who was Minister In-charge of the Excise Department took major decisions that violated the rules and caused significant financial implications.
CBI lodged an FIR in the special court in August against Manish Sisodia and 14 others under sections of the IPC including:
- 120B- criminal conspiracy
- 477A- falsification of records
- Section 7- Prevention of Corruption Act
The investigation later revealed payments of crores were made to a close associate of Manish Sisodia, Sameer Mahendru. Sameer is a liquor trader and an owner of Indospirits. He was actively involved in irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy.
Manish Sisodia was called upon by CBI in October and the agency recorded his statement. After that, Sisodia was called on February 26 where he was interrogated for 8 hours before getting arrested.
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