Mallika Dureja
According to Munish Chandra Pandey: Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia was detained in an alleged liquor scam. According to sources, Sisodia was detained by the investigation agency for his involvement in the destruction of evidence.
The detention is related to allegations of corruption in the implementation of the now-abandoned liquor policy for 2021-22 in Delhi. Sisodia was detained under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 477 A (intent to defraud), and 7 (prevention of corruption).
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented Sisodia with physical and digital evidence during eight hours of interrogation.
According to sources, Sisodia failed to defend himself.
The sources also asserted that a few contentious provisions were introduced to the Delhi Liquor Policy after the initial draught was completed. Sisodia was unable to explain how these provisions were included in the final draught when questioned by the CBI.
Regarding the modifications made to revisions of the policy, Sisodia stated “I don’t know” frequently.
A statement by an employee of the department of excise revealed Sisodia’s role in revising the manuscripts. An examination of seized digital devices reveals that the officer received these items via WhatsApp.
There was no record of discussion or files in the department of excise indicating how these provisions were incorporated into the final draught.
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Based on a bureaucrat’s statement, the central investigation agency also decided to arrest the senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. A senior bureaucrat asserted that Manish Sisodia was instrumental in crafting the excise policy.
Manish Sisodia, the primary suspect in the CBI FIR, was questioned on October 17, a month prior to the agency’s chargesheet release on November 25.
The CBI did not identify Sisodia in the chargesheet because it was still investigating him and other suspects and defendants.
