“Preparing budget…” Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia requests CBI

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday for questioning in connection with irregularities in the excise policy case, asked the CBI to defer questioning, stating that he is currently “preparing the budget” and will be able to appear before it by the end of February.

“I will visit the CBI office by the end of February, whenever they (CBI) will call me. Being the Finance Minister of Delhi, preparing the budget is very important, so I have requested to shift the date. I have always cooperated with these agencies,” said Sisodia. Meanwhile, the CBI is examining the case at Manish Sisodia’s request.

Meanwhile, the CBI is examining the case at Manish Sisodia’s request.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in the national capital summoned Manish Sisodia today in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case. The CBI has called Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for interrogation again, nearly three months after filing a chargesheet in the Delhi excise policy case, authorities said.

However, Manish Sisodia is not identified as an accused in the case’s charge sheet. The chargesheet names seven defendants, including arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek.

Alleging that the “full power” of agencies under the BJP-led central government had been unleashed to hound him, Manish Sisodia took to Twitter and said, “CBI has called me again tomorrow. They have unleashed the full power of CBI, ED (Enforcement Directorate) against me, raided my house, searched my bank locker, and yet found nothing against me.”

“I have arranged good education for the children of Delhi. They want to stop it. I have always cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so,” he added.

Last August, the CBI searched Sisodia’s Punjab National Bank locker in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case, and according to him, the CBI discovered nothing.
According to a CBI official, many raids were also conducted last year at 21 locations in Delhi and the National Capital Region, including Sisodia’s residence and the offices of four public workers. According to the official, raids were carried out in seven different states.

The investigation was carried out after the Chief Secretary to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sent a report suggesting a CBI investigation into the subject.

The excise proposal was approved by the Delhi Cabinet led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the midst of the fatal Delta Covid-19 outbreak in 2021.
According to the Delhi government, the policy was developed to ensure maximum revenue generation and to eliminate the sale of fake liquor or non-duty paid booze in Delhi, as well as to improve user experience.
The Delhi government’s strategy of giving liquor licences has been accused of being in the interests of some sellers who reportedly paid bribes for it, a claim vigorously disputed by the AAP.

Following L-advice, G’s the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police issued a notice to Delhi’s Excise Commissioner, requesting that he disclose any records relevant to the award of liquor licences under the new excise policy.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday declared that there was “no liquor fraud” in the city and claimed that the issue over his government’s excise policy was formed as a result of “political vendetta”.

“First of all, there is no such thing as a liquor scam. We formulated the best and most transparent policy in the country. We implemented this policy in Punjab and the revenue increased by 48 per cent. All this is happening due to political conspiracy in Delhi.”

Kejriwal said at a press conference on Saturday that his government will completely assist with the CBI’s inquiry into suspected anomalies in the implementation of the now-cancelled tax policy 2021-22.