Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged liquor scam. The case is related to the corruption and manipulation of Delhi's liquor policy for 2021-22. Sisodia has been charged under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 477 A (intent to defraud) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI alleges that Sisodia was involved in the destruction of evidence and did not cooperate in the investigation.
According to sources, contentious provisions were added to the Delhi liquor policy, which were not part of the initial draft. Sisodia was questioned about these changes, but he failed to explain how these provisions were included in the final draft. Additionally, the CBI found evidence on digital devices, indicating that these provisions were received on WhatsApp by an officer. There was no record of discussion or files in the excise department that show how these provisions were included in the final draft.
The CBI also based its decision to arrest Sisodia on the statement of a top bureaucrat, who alleged that Sisodia played a pivotal role in the drafting of the excise policy. Sisodia was confronted with evidence collected by the CBI, including documentary and digital evidence, but he failed to defend himself. During the eight hours of questioning, he mostly claimed that he did not know about the changes made to the policy drafts.
Sisodia was previously questioned on October 17, a month before the CBI filed its chargesheet on November 25. The CBI did not name Sisodia in the chargesheet, as it kept the probe open against him and other suspects and accused.
In conclusion, Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in connection with the alleged liquor scam, as he was allegedly involved in the destruction of evidence and did not cooperate in the investigation. The CBI found evidence that contentious provisions were added to the Delhi liquor policy, which were not part of the initial draft, and Sisodia failed to explain how these provisions were included in the final draft. The CBI based its decision to arrest Sisodia on the statement of a top bureaucrat, who alleged that Sisodia played a pivotal role in the drafting of the excise policy.
