Manish Sisodia News Updates: Questioning of 5 accused in Excise Policy scam complete

Republic learnt that the questioning by the CBI of the 5 accused in the Excise Policy case has been completed. Their statements are presently being analysed, and on the basis of the same, the summons will be issued in the upcoming days. 

Sharing a video of his briefing from earlier in the day, BJP's Anurag Thakur took a dig at AAP, saying, "When questions become too difficult to answer, hardcore corrupts get up and run away."

Delhi BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri demands a CBI inquiry against CM Arvind Kejriwal and his council of ministers for 'violating' Delhi Master Plan 2021 with the decision to allow liquor vends in non-conforming areas

During the exclusive conversation, the President of BJP's Delhi unit put forth the AAP several questions. He asked, "If there is no scam then, then why was the commission of the liquor vendors increased from 2.5 per cent to 12 per cent? Why did you decrease the number of dry days from 21 to 3? Because it would increase their sale. They haven't answered why they waived of Rs 144 crore of the liquor mafias. Rs 30 crore earnest money, which was to be forfeited, why did you return it? Why did you bring blacklisted companies like Khau Gali in this?" 

BJP responded to Kejriwal's prediction before the arrest of Satyendar Jain and now Manish Sisodia. Saffron party president of Delhi Adesh Gupta in an exclusive with Republic, said, "Kejriwal Ji knows how many black deeds they have indulged in, how many files they have signed in his presence. He knows that if they indulge in corruption they will be arrested...Right now, it's his scare, his frustration that is speaking." 

Ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab says the growing popularity of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has 'alarmed' BJP, causing it to 'misuse' CBI against AAP leaders

Did Manish Sisodia enable liquor Licence despite show-cause notice from the Delhi government? Was he unaware? Tune in to watch here:-

The advocate of Dinesh Arora, one of the accused in the FIR pertaining to the Delhi Excise Policy case, said, "No incriminating evidence has been collected by the CBI in the raids.vMy client Dinesh Arora has just been framed. It's a political vendetta."

The ultimate clincher on the liquor scam on Republic's 'This is Exclusive' with Channel's Abhishek Kapoor and Shawan Sen. Tune in to watch:-

Continuing with its allegations against AAP, the BJP raked up the issue of pubs. Parvesh Verma said, "These people were running pubs without a license. Pubs used to run till 5 a.m. in Delhi. No Excise official was courageous enough to stop them."

'This isn't a crore worth of scam', said BJP's Parvesh Verma in a press briefing on Saturday. Reasoning his claim, Verma said, "Manish Sisodia increased license fees, and it was he who used to get 12% commission."

In a series of tweets, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia called the Excise Policy 2021-2022 'the best ever'. "Had they not got the L-G to change his decision 48 hours before the implementation of the excise policy, it would have earned the Delhi government a revenue of Rs 10,000 crores every year," he wrote. 

Hours after BJP's press briefing on the Delhi Excise Policy, AAP retorted. Party MP Sanjay Singh said, "One thing is clear that even after the CBI raids at multiple places, the agency hasn't been able to tell what have they really found and that is because nothing has been found. There is no scam."

Sanjay Singh in the AAP press briefing once again raked up the New York Times article, saying, "If New York Times refuses to write about Narendra Modi then you spread fake news about Manish Sisodia with the help of your IT team. What do you think, by doing this you will be able to stop Arvind Kejriwal and his vision of number 1 India? The fight in 2024 will be between Modi and Kejriwal, BJP and AAP."

BJP's Manoj Tiwari claims to have been asking questions to AAP on behalf of the people of Delhi. "I am speaking in terms of data. Where did the Rs 8100 crore go? You will have to submit the money of the exchequer, we won't let your run away with the money of the people," Tiwari said. 

Mega showdown, back-to-back press conferences as the Liquor scam explodes. Catch exclusive updates only on Republic TV. Tune in to watch:-

Sanjay Singh called BJP the' Corona of corruption'. Watch the full press briefing here:- 

Wrapped in controversy related to Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022, Manish Sisodia held meetings on Saturday. Republic learnt from sources that it was with the officials of the Power Department. 

The BJP, in yet another statement, went all guns blazing at the AAP for the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022 case. Sudhanshu Trivedi of the saffron party, highlighted, how it was the same party which demanded resignation after allegations and pondered upon the plight of Manish Sisodia, who is accused number 1 in the case. 'Let the investigation take its course," he said. 

In a big lead in the Delhi liquor scam, Republic learnt from sources in the CBI that a few of the accused have been called in by the Central agency for questioning. 

In the 2014 criminal defamation case by Advocate Surendra Kumar Sharma, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Dy CM Manish Sisodia and others were acquitted by Delhi Rouse Avenue Court court. Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand pronounced the order earlier in the day. 

Amid war of words between the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party over the Delhi liquor policy scam, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he will be visiting poll-bound Gujarat for two days, along with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

"On Monday, Manish ji and I will go to Gujarat for two days - to guarantee education and health. Like Delhi, Gujarat will also have good schools, good hospitals, and Mohalla clinics. Everyone will get a free good education and good treatment. people will be relieved," Kejriwal tweeted.

Republic has learnt from sources that amid the CBI probe of the Delhi Excise Policy, Manish Sisodia visited Arvind Kejriwal's residence. The Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister duo, from there, would together head to the Rouse Avenue Court. 

"Manish Ji, if your liquor policy was right, why did you take it back? It's like 'chor ki daadhi mei tinka'... why is there a soft corner for liquor businessmen?... I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to come in front of the nation and answer me within 24 hours," Union Minister Anurag Thakur said. 

The liquor scam accused denied the absconding charge and stated that his house has been raided. As per sources, the accused said "I am in abroad for the last few weeks for some personal work. I haven't done anything wrong so there is no question of running away".

Prior to CBI raids conducted on Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, the Rouse Avenue Court had issued search warrants in the excise policy scam case. While the FIR was registered on August 17, Special CBI judge MK Nagpal issued search warrants on Friday. The search list submitted by CBI included some documents. 

Manish Sisodia, who is facing heat from the CBI over the excise policy scam, alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to stop the development works of the AAP government. "I have not done any corruption. They are creating a conspiracy to trap me. In the coming days, I will be arrested too," he said. 

Pitting Delhi CM against the Prime Minister, he said "Days after Kejriwal launched 'Make India No. 1 Mission, raids were conducted at my house. PM Modi wanted to stop the development works and the efforts to take the nation forward. I am sure, in the upcoming elections, it will be Modi versus Kejriwal."

'The issue is not a liquor scam, if it was, they would send CBI to Gujarat,' said Manish Sisodia. The Deputy CM alleged that an excise scam of Rs 10 crores was taking place in Gujarat, a dry state. He accused the BJP of targeting the Delhi government for its development works.

"America's biggest newspaper covered Delhi's education model on its front page yesterday. It is a pride for India... Around 1.5 years ago, another story was published by them showing thousands of bodies being cremated along Ganga; it was shameful," says Delhi DyCM Manish Sisodia.

As the CBI takes action against Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy scam case, Republic has learned that several close aides of the AAP leader have possibly gone missing. At least two individuals named in the FIR were not found at their premises, said sources. The CBI has not yet issued a statement in this regard. 

Dramatic scenes were witnessed in Delhi as the Congress staged a protest outside the Aam Aadmi Party office, demanding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and DyCM Manish Sisodia over the excise policy scam.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been named the main accused in the Excise Policy case, will hold a press conference at 12 noon today. On Friday, the CBI conducted 14-hour-long raids at his residence in connection with alleged irregularities in the recently-scrapped liquor policy. 

Congress workers, led by DPCC President Anil Kumar, will gherao the Aam Aadmi Party office at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi at 10.30 AM today, demanding the resignation of Excise Minister Manish Sisodia following a CBI raid at his house related to the Liquor Policy scam. The Congress workers will assemble at the DPCC office, Rajiv Bhawan.

Independent MP and former Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Saturday takes a dig at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with raids conducted at the residence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia over the Excise Policy row.

"Vijay Nair, whose name is at number 5 in CBI's FIR, is also a favorite of Kejriwal ji. He is wanted by Delhi Police and he is also absconding!! Will Arvind Kejriwal, who trumpets staunch honesty, inform their capitalist friends and help them get caught?" questioned BJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa. 

He also shared a photo where the Delhi CM could be seen taking a group photo with the accused.

After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on multiple locations, Republic accessed the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the agency in the Delhi Excise Policy (2021-2022) on Friday. In the FIR, the CBI has listed 15 accused in total, which includes Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as 'accused no. 1'. In addition to Sisodia, who also holds the excise portfolio, the CBI has named as accused then excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, then deputy excise commissioner Anand Kumar Tiwari, assistant excise commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar and nine businessmen.

After 14-hour-long CBI raids at the residence of Manish Sisodia, who is the accused no. 1 in the Delhi excise policy case, the BJP has questioned the Delhi Deputy CM's connection with Dinesh Arora, the accused no. 11. BJP leaders Shehzad Poonawala and Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared photos uploaded on by Arora, where he can be seen with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Sisodia. 

"Arvind Kejriwal is this the same Dinesh Arora whose name is registered in today's FIR? Who is he? What is the relationship between you and Sisodia with this man? He is absconding for the last one and a half months. You help CBI by revealing his location," Sirsa said in a tweet.

The New York Times story on Delhi's education system was based on "an impartial and on-the-ground reporting", the American newspaper said on Friday, rejecting the paid news charge.

The report triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party after the CBI raided the residence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education and excise portfolios, on Friday in connection with alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the AAP government's excise policy.

The AAP said the Narendra Modi government sent the CBI to Sisodia's home after The New York Times carried a positive story on the Delhi model of education, and the BJP hit back saying it was a "paid" article.

Requested for a clarification on the matter, the NYT's external communications director Nicole Tylor told PTI in an email, "Our report about efforts to improve Delhi's education system is based on impartial, on-the-ground reporting."

Mocking AAP, BJP's Majinder Singh Sirsa predicted that tomorrow Kejriwal will hold a press conference and say, 'I have been told by the people in the BJP that Manish Sisodia will be arrested'. 

'We were wondering why CBI was not acting...In this, we would want an unbiased probe into the matter. There should not be a compromise between the BJP and the AAP," Congress' Alka Lamba said after Manish Sisodia cried 'not guilty'. 

After AAP's Manish Sisodia's 'Centre misusing CBI' claim, BJP hit back. National spokesperson of the saffron party RP Singh said, "A similar allegation was made when Satyendar Jain was arrested...What happened? The court rejected their plea."

Manish Sisodia further said that the CBI's conduct was really good. "Few files of the department have been taken from my residence. Me as well as my family fully cooperated with the agency. We have not done anything wrong, why should we be afraid?"

After CBI sleuths left Manish Sisodia's residence after raids, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi alleged that the Centre was misusing the agency against him. "We are extremely honest people, doing honest work and will continue to do so," he said. 

CBI officials leave Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence after a 14-hour-long raid in the Excise police case

So far no summons have been issued. Expected development in coming days after document examination is over, sources told Republic. 

After the completion of searches at Manish Sisodia's residence, Delhi's Deputy CM was given a mirror image copy of whatever has been taken from his computers, Republic learnt from sources. 

Sources in the CBI said that the searches of office and residence, as well as vehicles, in connection with Excise Policy scam has been completed. 

As scam upon scam comes to light, will the government get support in the war on corruption? Tune in to watch the Debate on Republic with Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami.

Even as raids are underway on Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Aam Aadmi Party continued with its chest-thumping on the New York Times Article. Sharing snippets of the piece on Delhi's Education model, titled 'Our Children Our Worth It', the party led by Arvind Kejriwal wrote, "Kejriwal model: Increasing the honour of the country."

TMC condemned the CBI raids at Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence. The party led by Mamata Banerjee alleged that such moves are part of BJP's designs to intimidate Opposition across the country. 

After the CBI probe into Delhi's Excise Policy, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered the transfer of 12 IAS officers, with immediate effect. 

Republic accesses stunning Delhi Govt Cabinet Note laying bare the losses to the exchequer despite the spike in liquor sales.

On Republic's Debate at 9, Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami fired 16 questions on the Delhi government's Liquor Policy as Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's house gets raided by CBI. 

CBI issued a statement, which read, "The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Deputy Chief Minister, GNCTD of Delhi and others including then Commissioner (Excise), then Deputy Commissioner (Excise), then Assistant Commissioner (Excise), all of GNCTD, Delhi; 10 liquor licensees, their associates & unknown others on a reference from MHA(GOI) related to alleged irregularities in framing &  implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD, Delhi.

It was further alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, an extension of L-1 license without approval etc .

It was also alleged that Illegal gains on the count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts. 

Searches are being conducted today at 31 locations including in  Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Bengaluru which, so far, have led to the recovery of  Incriminating documents/articles, digital records etc.

The investigation is continuing.

12 hours on, raids continue at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence in Delhi in relation to the Excise Policy case. Tune in to watch here:- 

 RJD attacks AAP after a raid at Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia's house. RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "Today we are speaking for the AAP party, but when the opposition is raided, AAP chooses silence."

After reports of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal missing weekly meeting with LC VK Saxena started doing the rounds, AAP claimed that it was an off for Janmashtami. 

Amid raids at Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal missed the weekly meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

Congress goes all guns blazing at AAP as CBI raids Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. "By showing 'fake' model of Delhi in the name of education, AAP has misled the people a lot. Just look at the truth of their 'lies'," the grand old party wrote in a tweet uploaded on its official Twitter handle. 

Punjab MLA Pargat Singh said that the CBI raids and investigations against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia for the controversial Delhi excise policy should also include the recent Punjab excise policy. On Twitter, the Congress leader wrote, that it "was passed at the behest of Mr. Sisodia. Let us wait for all the facts to emerge out."

Searches are being conducted today at 31 locations including in  Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bengaluru which, so far, have led to recovery of  Incriminating documents/articles, digital records etc.

After the Delhi government came under the scanner for the Excise Policy 2021-2022,  Congress claimed that Aam Aadmi Party's fight against corruption is 'hollow'. Coming to Manish Sisodia, Jaiveer Shergill said, "Will he be asked to resign?"

Republic accesses CBI FIR copy in the Delhi Excise policy case, naming Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia as first accused.

After the CBI conducted raids in connection with Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022, Republic got exclusive inputs on the recovery. As per sources, official files relating to Excise Policy have been recovered from the residence of one of the public servants. Those are confidential official file notings which were not supposed to be at the residence.

9 hours on, raids continue at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence in Delhi in relation to the Excise Policy case. Tune in to watch here:- 

In a video message, BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla took the case of AAP which is under the lens for the Delhi excise policy 2021-2022. Poonawalla said, "You weren't giving any relief to covid patients but instead giving waivers to liquor mafias. And now you say that there were issues in the policies. How was Manish Sisodia looking after the matter when he wasn't even authorized to do so? Kindly give answers to these questions..."

'Not a government of Aam Aadmi,' claimed BJP's Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir after the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted raids at Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence in connection with the irregularities in the excise policy of 2021-22. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, Gambhir further claimed that the Delhi government has been 'exposed', and reasoned that the press briefing by AAP, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was all an outcome of the 'panic'.

As CBI raids are underway at the residence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly sought a copy of the FIR filed in the excise policy case. Amid this, the BJP batted for the money laundering angle to be probed. "Was all this done for black money? Were the elections fought on this money," asked Manoj Tiwari in a press breifing. 

Minutes after AAP's briefing, BJP retorted saying, "They are talking about the New York Times article when raids are taking place at Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence. The CBI's enquiry is not on your education policy, it is on your liquor policy. All this happened in May 2021, when there was a scarcity of oxygen...At that time, they were busy framing the liquor policy."

The New York Times controversy explodes, with AAP continuing to flaunt education policy as CBI raids Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the irregularities in the excise policy of 2021-22. Saurabh Bharadwaj in a press briefing said, "The BJP is in a hurry to put all the AAP leaders behind the jail...This is all being done keeping in mind 2024 in mind."

Tune in to watch here:-

At a time the Delhi government is facing fire for the Excise Policy, with raids being conducted at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP MP Sanjay Singh blamed it on the 'nervousness and frustration of PM Modi'. On Twitter, Singh wrote, "It is enough to tell that The 2024 election will be AAP vs BJP, Kejriwal vs Modi."

Highlighting the double standards of AAP while condemning the CBI raids at Manish Sisodia's residence, RJD MP Manoj Jha remarked, "These agencies have lost their character. Their target is set. We know where they get instructions from and why. But AAP has to decide that when raids take place on other opposition leaders, you should learn to speak out. We are speaking for you today. But when it happens to others, you remain quiet."

CBI raids are still underway at the residence of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Commenting on the CBI raids on Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav stated that it was condemnable to use raids as a political tool.

Addressing a press conference, former Union minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said it would not be an exaggeration if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was called 'Lutyens ke lootere'. Targeting the Arvind Kejriwal government, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said, “They have claimed that the government is earning profit due to the new excise policy. But we have been saying from day one that there is corruption and the policy has been brought to benefit the liquor mafia. The CBI raids are proof of this corruption".

As per sources, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is being investigated for alleged quid pro quo.

Speaking to the media, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat condemned the CBI raids on Manish Sisodia. She contended that he was targeted only as he is the Deputy CM of Delhi. According to her, she would have been a clean politician if he was a part of the BJP and RSS. Karat stressed that this is not an action against corruption but an attempt to target the opposition. 

Speaking to the media, AAP MP Raghav Chadha remarked, "We used to speak of 2 models- Education and Healthcare. To stop this, Health Minister Satyendar Jain was jailed and they're preparing to jail Manish Sisodia too. They want to destroy our models of Health and Education and arrest ministers so that the Kejriwal model is destroyed."

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha addressed a counter-press conference. He asserted, "Seeing the public support and rising popularity of Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP and PM Modi are scared. They've unleashed agencies like CBI on our people and leaders. There is only one goal - finish Kejriwal."

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's alleged links with the liquor cartel amid the CBI raids.

Taking to Twitter, Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana claimed that AAP got the same news published in two foreign publications. He alleged, "They gave advertisements abroad too. The New York Times article which Arvind Kejriwal is referring to is also published in the Khaleej Times. The same photo and same language have been used."

"BJP has two hands, CBI and ED. They did the same in Bengal and Maharashtra. There were raids on Satyendar Jain as well. This is a tactic to suppress the opposition. Nothing has been found in the raids," TMC MP Saugata Roy commented. 

As per sources, the CBI will probe the manner in which liquor licenses were given, tweaking of the excise policy and waiver of fees for those bid for liquor licenses. Moreover, it is investigating officials who supported or sided with the government in changing the excise policy or turned a blind eye when post facto changes were made. It might also probe the Delhi government decision that allowed the cartels to operate a monopoly in the market.

AAP MLAs and workers gathered outside the residence of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. Police detained some of these AAP A worker said, "They're announcing that they've imposed Sec 144 here. Nobody raised slogans or misbehaved, we don't what do they fear. The more they stop us, the bigger we'll grow". 

Speaking on the raids against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said, "CBI is doing its work, there is no need to be scared. We should let CBI do its work, they have an order from the top to hassle us. Obstacles will come but work won't stop". He added, "This isn't the first raid. In the last 7 yrs, several raids were conducted on Manish Sisodia. Several false cases were lodged against him. Raids were conducted on me as well, on Satyendar Jain, on Kailash Gehlot - but nothing was found. They won't get anything even now". 

ED asked the CBI for the FIR copy on Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, sources revealed. The process of registering an Enforcement Case Information Report will begin after the searches are over. 

As per sources, electronic gadgets including a laptop and mobile were taken into custody by the CBI at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence.

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal addressed a press conference after Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was raided by the CBI in the Excise Policy case.

As per sources, CBI officials have reached the residence of Deputy Commissioner of Excise Department Anand Tiwari. At present, the central agency is raiding at least 21 locations including Manish Sisodia's residence.

AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will address a digital press conference at noon after the raids at Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh addressed a press conference after the CBI raids at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence and office.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slammed the CBI raids on Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. He opined, "Manish Sisodia is the best Education Minister of Independent India. Today, his photo has been published on the front page of the US' biggest newspaper NYT. And Modi Ji sent CBI to his house today itself? How will India progress like this"?

Congress leader and former Lok Sabha MP Sandeep Dikshit stated, "We were hearing about happenings in Delhi Government. Surprising that raids didn't happen earlier. Be it liquor case, construction of rooms in schools, teachers recruitment, wherever you see, there should've been 10 CBI raids". He alleged, "Congress always suspected an agreement between AAP & BJP. AAP is making money, damaging Congress and supporting BJP. Now they (BJP) might've felt they're(AAP) not needed anymore so all sins of AAP will come out. We'll see BJP strikes an agreement with them or does justice". 

Speaking to Republic TV on the raids at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence, BJP Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari stated, "The very fact that they changed their liquor policy shows that they were wrong. Proper investigation should be carried out".

Rebutting Manish Sisodia's allegation that he took a U-turn on the Delhi Excise Policy purportedly causing a loss of hundreds of crores to the AAP government, former Delhi LG Anil Baijal stressed that was a desperate attempt by the Deputy CM to save his own skin. He stated that he had flagged the unconstitutional decisions taken by the AAP government which had to be amended on files. Moreover, Baijal defended not giving permission for opening liquor vends in non-conforming areas. 

Welcoming the CBI action against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, AAP-turned-Congress leader Alka Lamba remarked, "If your policy was good, why did you withdraw it? You would level allegations against Sheila Dikshit, so why did you implement her 15-year-old policy? If you are honest, the ED has imprisoned your health minister Satyendar Jain for two months now. Why did AAP and its workers not hit the streets? Because they know that corruption has taken place."

Taking to Twitter, Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal attributed the CBI's raid on Manish Sisodia as an attempt to destabilise the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

Weighing in on the CBI raids at Manish Sisodia's residence, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya predicted that the Delhi Deputy CM will go to jail as well. He observed, "Delhi government's new excise policy was arbitrary, caused huge loss to the exchequer. If the policy was fine, why was it reversed immediately after inquiry was ordered? Arvind Kejriwal had given honesty certificate to Satyendra Jain also. He still remains in jail. Sisodia too will go."

As per sources, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been named as an accused in the Excise Policy case along with 4 other persons including the former Excise Commissioner. 

Speaking to the media on the CBI raids, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "We welcome CBI and other agencies that PM Modi has including ED, Income tax. This is not the first case of the raid on AAP leaders, but the question is what do these agencies recover? They should tell people if anything was ever recovered anywhere."

In a massive development on August 19, the CBI raided Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence in connection with the irregularities in the excise policy of 2021-22. As per sources, raids are underway at nearly 20 locations across the national capital. Sisodia is in charge of the Excise Department. Sources revealed that the CBI took this action after registering an FIR. Confirming the raids on Twitter, Sisodia affirmed that he will cooperate with the investigation and the truth will come to the fore very soon.

Taking to response, Manish Sisodia stated, "I welcome CBI. I will fully cooperate with the probe so that the truth can come out. Until now, nothing has come up against me in this case. And nothing will come out now as well. My work for ensuring good education in the country can't be stopped."

He added, "These people are troubled by the excellent work of education and health of Delhi. That is why the Health Minister (Satyendar Jain) and Education Minister of Delhi have been caught so that the good work of education health can be stopped. There are false allegations against both of us. The truth will come out in court". 

Launching an attack on AAP after the raids on Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Union Minister Anurag Thakur remarked, "The excise policy was taken back when the case was handed over to the CBI. Why was the excise policy withdrawn if there was no corruption"? Dismissing the charge that this was an attempt to stop the work done by the AAP government in the field of education, Thakur asserted that the party's real face of corruption has come to the forth. 

AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal cried foul over the raids at Manish Sisodia's residence. Taking to Twitter, he commented, "CBI is welcome. We will fully cooperate. Earlier too, raids and investigations have taken place. Nothing came out of it. This time too, nothing will come out of it". 

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will address a press conference at 11 am in connection with the raids at Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence. Earlier, Singh wrote on Twitter, "Dictatorship and politics of revenge do not have a long life. The entire country is witnessing how Manish Sisodia who made India proud via his education model in Delhi is being intimidated by CBI. History shows that dishonest people can trouble honest people but can't do anything".

In August, the LG  suspended key officials over the irregularities in the implementation of the Excise Policy earlier this month. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the suspended officials, namely IAS officer and former Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service officer, ex-Deputy Excise Commissioner Anand Kumar Tiwari, 3 Adhoc DANICS officers and 4 other officials of the Excise Department. This action was taken due to their serious lapses in finalizing the tender and extending post-tender benefits to select vendors. 

In July, Delhi LG VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's excise policy of 2021-22. Implemented on November 17 last year, this policy entailed retail licenses being given to private bidders for 849 vends across the city divided into 32 zones. However, many liquor stores failed to open for being located in the non-confirming areas of Delhi and they were sealed by the respective Municipal Corporation. Both BJP and Congress had opposed this policy and lodged complaints with the LG too.

Saxena based his recommendation on the Chief Secretary's report submitted in July which held that the policy prima facie violated the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010. Reportedly, there were ''deliberate and gross procedural lapses'' to provide post tender ''undue benefits to liquor licensees''. Moreover, sources indicated that the Excise department's decision to waive nearly Rs.144 crore due from liquor vend owners has also come under the scanner.