INDIA: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been arrested

Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for his alleged involvement in a scam related to the formulation and implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22. The CBI team recorded Sisodia's arrest after eight hours of interrogation in the Delhi liquor policy corruption case.

The CBI had asked Sisodia to appear for questioning on the 19th of this month. Being also the Finance Minister, Sisodia had sought a week's time to present the budget. Following this, the CBI extended the time and instructed them to appear on the 26th. The CBI had also questioned Sisodia in October last year.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came out against the arrest. AAP termed Sisodia's arrest as a black day for democracy. AAP MP Sanjay Singh strongly disagreed with the arrest of party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday, stating that it was the height of tyranny. He also declared that God will not forgive Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this act.

The Delhi Liquor Policy 2021-2022 introduced by the AAP government on November 17, 2020, was canceled on July 31, 2022, and senior party leaders and supporters came under the suspicion of the central agencies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI. After withdrawing the revised liquor policy, the AAP government decided to continue the existing liquor policy on November 17, 2020. Delhi Lt. Govt. Governor VK Saxena had recommended a CBI probe.

Meanwhile, the security of the CBI headquarters in Delhi has been increased considering the possibility of protests following Sisodia's arrest. After the interrogation began, a curfew was announced in the area where the CBI headquarters is located. Police arrested around 50 people including AAP leaders and activists for violating the prohibitory order.