Manish Sisodia Arrest: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday will observe ‘Black Day’ across the country and will also hold a protest at BJP headquarters in the national capital against the arrest of Manish Sisodia by CBI. The Deputy CM was on Sunday arrested by the CBI amid an intense turn of events in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
Giving the information on Twitter, Delhi minister Gopal Rai said, “Aam Aadmi Party will observe Black Day today by protesting across the country against the arrest of Education Minister Manish Sisodia and friendship with Adani. Today there will be a protest at BJP's national office in Delhi at 12 noon. You must also reach.”
Sisodia spent his Monday night at the CBI headquarters.
Delhi Police On High Alert
In view of the protests, Delhi has been put on alert and the city Police has made elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order. The CBI is expected to get the custody of the minister. The agency arrested Sisodia on Sunday after around 8.5 hours of questioning.
Sisodia To Undergo Medical Test, To Be Produced At Court
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will undergo a medical test on Monday at 10 am. According to ABP News sources, Sisodia will undergo the medical test at the CBI headquarters for security reasons.
He will then be produced at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court at 1 pm.
CBI On Sisodia’s Arrest
Manish Sisodia was named as an accused in the alleged liquor scam case and was previously summoned for questioning. This was his second summons on Sunday. The CBI issued a statement stating that Sisodia was arrested because he was evasive in his answers.
The agency said that the case was filed against Sisodia, the excise minister, and 14 other people for alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy 2021-22. It added that, on February 19, Sisodia was called to join the investigation, and he sought one week's notice, citing his preoccupation.
He was summoned again after October 17, 2022, to answer questions he evaded during the last interview and to answer further questions about his incriminating role based on evidence collected during the case investigation.
Despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary, he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation. As a result, he has been arrested, according to the CBI.
AAP, Other Parties React To Sisodia’s Arrest
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) termed the arrest of Sisodia as an "attack on the Delhi model of governance". "You (the BJP) didn't get anything from Sisodia’s house or bank accounts. They haven't been able to prove any allegation against him," said party leader Aatishi Marlena at a press conference. AAP also questioned the absence of a money trail.
"Manish is innocent. His arrest is dirty politics. There is a lot of anger among the people due to the arrest of Manish. Everyone is watching. People are understanding everything. People will respond to this. This will boost our spirits further. Our struggle will get stronger," tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after his deputy’s arrest.
The AAP described Sisodia's arrest as a "black day for democracy," claiming that the CBI nabbed him in a bogus case. AAP leader Sanjay Singh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tweeted, "Manish Sisodia’s arrest is the height of dictatorship. Modi ji you are wrong to arrest a good person and the best education minister. Even God will not forgive you. One day your dictatorship will definitely end Modi ji."
“Manish Sisodia has been arrested in a false case. He used to say that if you build schools then there will be no need to build a jail. Now they have sent the person who built schools to the jail,” Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said.
“Samajwadi Party strongly condemns the arrest of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia ji. BJP is forcibly arresting opposition leaders to suppress issues like inflation and unemployment. The oppressive BJP government wants to end democracy,” the Twitter handle of the party wrote.
Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien tweeted, “If Manish Sisodia had got himself a BJP brand of washing machine, he would never been arrested. Bravo, Manish. Allies ShivSena, SADal, JD(U) TDP & others have all abandoned BJP. Only CBI, ED, IT remain true allies. Targeting Opposition leaders is the DESPERATE DUO’S favorite job.”
BJP On Sisodia’s Arrest
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that AAP and its leaders gave no reason for revoking the excise policy. "Today, every child of Delhi knows that Aam Aadmi Party and Manish Sisodia increased the wholesale commission of liquor from 2 per cent to 12 per cent in order to get their commission so that Aam Aadmi Party can earn big money," Patra said at a press conference.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manoj Tiwari said that the "mastermind" behind the scam is yet to be arrested. While talking to ANI, Tiwari said, "Law is doing its work.
Kejriwal, Mann Meet Sisodia’s Family
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reached Sisodia's residence to meet his wife and assured her of all possible help. Kejriwal said that Sisodia's wife is suffering from a very serious illness. He said she is suffering from multiple sclerosis, in which the brain gradually loses control over the body. He added that she is alone at home and only Manish Sisodia used to take care of her.