Delhi Excise Policy: Sisodia Claims ED Summon To AAP MCD Poll Incharge, Questions Central Agency's 'Target'

Manish Sisodia questioned the probe agency if the aim was to target the MCD polls instead of the liquor policy. So far, CBI has conducted raids at 40 locations in connection with the excise policy.

New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned AAP's MCD poll Incharge Durgesh Pathak in connection with its excise policy probe.  

In a tweet, Sisodia criticised the probe agency asking if the aim was to target the MCD polls instead of the liquor policy. "The ED has summoned AAP's MCD poll Incharge Durgesh Pathak today. What has our MCD poll Incharge to do with the Delhi government's excise policy? Is their target liquor policy or MCD poll?" Sisodia wrote.

There was no official confirmation yet from the ED on the summons, reported news agency PTI.

Pathak is currently an MLA from Rajinder Nagar and has been associated with the AAP since its formation in 2012. He won the Rajinder Nagar bypoll three months ago.

The elections of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are expected to be held by year-end after the completion of the delimitation of 270 wards.

As for the liquor policy case, officials from Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at 40 different places spread over states, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, in connection with the Excise Policy 2021-22 of the Kejriwal government.

The CBI has filed an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the policy and named Sisodia as an accused.  The Kejriwal government withdrew the policy in July after the CBI probe was recommended by LG VK Saxena into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the policy.

Apart from Sisodia, other persons who have been booked include excise officials, liquor company executives, dealers, along with unknown public servants and private individuals, reported news agency ANI. The CBI raided the Delhi residences of Sisodia and former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna along with 19 other locations across seven states and Union Territories.

According to the CBI, Manish Sisodia has also been accused of criminal conspiracy and manipulation of accounts. This FIR has been registered under 120-B, 477-A, and Section-7.  

(With Agency Inputs)