Delhi BJP working president Virendra Sachdeva welcomed the CBI decision saying the law is taking its own course.
"We do not intend to speak much on matters being investigated by the CBI for quite some time now. But the law is taking its own course. The Excise policy was designed by the Kejriwal government to loot people, spoil young people's habits and garner profits through kickbacks. It is the beginning of an end for the AAP," Sachdeva told this journalist.
"Manish Sisodia was the mastermind and I am glad he is now behind the bars," Sachdeva added.
New Delhi
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested on Sunday by Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI in an ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy.
Sisodia was arrested after hours of interrogation by the CBI in connection with the now withdrawn Excise Policy 2021-22. He was summoned for questioning by the agency.
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The CBI said that the AAP leader 'gave evasive replies and did not cooperate' with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Sisodia will be produced before the Designated Court in Delhi.
Earlier, Manish Sisodia was issued a notice for attending the investigation on Feb 19 but he sought one week time citing his preoccupation. The CBI accepted his request and again issued a notice for joining the investigation today for answering various questions evaded by him during his questioning on 17th of October last year.
The CBI said that the instant case was registered against Deputy Chief Minister and In-charge Excise Minister and 14 others for extending post-tender benefits to private persons.
A chargesheet was filed on Nov 25, 2022 against then CEO of a Mumbai-based private company and six others.
The investigation in the Delhi excise policy case began last year after Delhi Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe, citing discrepancies in it.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is among the 15 accused, named in the FIR filed by the CBI. The FIR was lodged for alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in the Excise policy.
The BJP flayed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its claims that the CBI is being misused by the Centre. "Event management can't save AAP from the law," said BJP leader Sambit Patra.
"Manish Sisodia, other AAP leaders never explained why they withdrew the excise policy after corruption was flagged... Delhi excise policy was leaked to liquor-contractor 'friends' by AAP before it was sent to the Group of Ministers," Mr Patra told reporters.
"The AAP spread liquor culture in Delhi and lost liquor money in the election campaign," Patra said.
The CBI contends that liquor companies were involved in framing of the policy, for which kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore were paid by a liquor lobby it dubbed the "South Group". It is estimated the scam or deal gave a 12 per cent profit for them, of which 5-6 per cent were allegedly routed to public servants through middlemen.
The Enforcement Directorate has also launched an investigation, alleging money laundering.
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