On Sunday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with an alleged liquor excise policy scam after questioning him for eight hours. Sisodia has not been named an accused in the chargesheet filed in the case, and he claimed that the false cases were lodged against him and other ruling party leaders because Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s rising popularity.
The Arrest
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI after he was questioned for eight hours in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. The Deputy Chief Minister had earlier claimed that false cases were being lodged against the ruling party leaders, and that PM Modi was afraid of Arvind Kejriwal’s growing popularity. AAP workers and prominent leaders, including Sanjay Singh, were detained for allegedly violating Section 144 of the CrPC, and several raids were conducted at 21 places in Delhi and the National Capital Region, including Sisodia’s residence, and the premises of four public servants last year.
Background of the Case
The CBI launched a probe in the matter on the basis of a report forwarded by the Delhi chief secretary to L-G Saxena recommending a probe by the central agency. In August last year, the CBI searched Sisodia’s bank locker in connection with the case. The deputy CM claimed the sleuths did not find any incriminating material in his locker. Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek are among the seven accused named in the chargesheet.
Reaction and Implications
AAP workers were heard chanting “Modi Mar Gaya” slogans outside Fatehpur Beri Police Station in support of Sisodia, who appeared before the CBI for interrogation. The arrests of prominent AAP leaders, including Trilok Puri MLA Rohit Kumar Mehraulia, Sangam Vihar MLA Dinesh Mohnia, Kondli MLA Kuldeep Singh, Rohtash Nagar ex-MLA Sarita Singh and Delhi minister Gopal Rai, sparked outrage among the party’s supporters. The AAP claimed that the BJP was resorting to such tactics because it was afraid of the party’s growing popularity.
Conclusion
The arrest of Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged liquor excise policy scam has once again brought to the fore the political rivalry between the ruling AAP and the BJP. The AAP has claimed that the false cases were being lodged against its leaders because the BJP was afraid of the party’s growing popularity, and the recent arrests have only served to fuel the party’s claims. The case is likely to have far-reaching implications on Delhi’s political landscape, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds in the days to come.
