CBI Quizzes Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia In Excise Policy Case Amid Speculations About His Arrest

Nearly 3 months after filing its charge sheet, the CBI is questioning Sisodia on various aspects of the Excise policy case including his alleged links with liquor traders

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday began questioning Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the Excise policy case probe amid speculations about his arrest. Sisodia left his residence surrounded by AAP workers who had gathered to express their support. He visited Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi before arriving at the CBI office.

Addressing AAP workers, he claimed that AAP leaders are facing arrest because "Narendra Modi is not afraid of Rahul Gandhi, he fears Arvind Kejriwal. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, people know that the AAP will be the end of the BJP." In an emotional appeal, he asked his supporters to take care of his ailing wife, who would be left alone if he is arrested.

More On It: Narendra Modi Isn't Afraid Of Rahul, He Fears Kejriwal: Sisodia Addresses AAP Workers Before CBI Questioning 

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Chief Minister tweeted, "Going to CBI again today, will cooperate fully during the investigation. I don't care if I have to stay in jail for a few months. I am a follower of Bhagat Singh. He chose to be hanged for the sake of the country. Going to jail because of such false charges is a small matter."

Sisodia has time and again expressed apprehensions that agencies might arrest him.

As per news agency ANI, the Delhi Police stated that section 144 has been promulgated in South District and entry towards CBI offices is regulated to ensure law and order.

According to news agency PTI, the CBI has prepared an exhaustive set of questions for the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister.

Sisodia, who also holds the Finance portfolio in the Delhi Cabinet, was originally summoned for questioning last Sunday but he sought deferment citing the ongoing Budget session, following which, the CBI had asked him to appear on February 26.

The Aam Admi Party leader was earlier quizzed for a day on October 17 last year, nearly a month before the central probe agency filed its chargesheet against seven people, including middlemen and liquor traders, in which Sisodia was not listed as accused, but the agency had kept the probe into his alleged role open.

Nearly three months after filing its chargesheet, the CBI is questioning Sisodia on various aspects of the Excise policy case including his alleged links with liquor traders and politicians as well as claims made by witnesses in their statements.

CBI Prepared With Detailed Questionnaire For Manish Sisodia

Armed with confessional statements of Sisodia's "close associate" Dinesh Arora, and information gleaned from questioning of alleged members of 'South Lobby', a coterie of politicians and liquor businessmen who allegedly swung the policy in their favour, the CBI has prepared an elaborate questionnaire for him, PTI reported CBI officials as saying.

It is alleged the Delhi government's policy to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP.

"It was further alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the 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," a CBI spokesperson had said, as quoted by PTI.