'Whole Case Is False': Kejriwal Defends Manish Sisodia After LG Recommends Probe Into Liquor Policy

Delhi LG on Friday recommended an investigation by CBI into alleged violations of Delhi Excise policy and “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” directly naming Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. 

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday reacted to the recommendation of CBI inquiry made by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena into the liquor policy of the AAP government and alleged violations by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Kejriwal said that the entire case was “false” adding that he has known Sisodia for past 22 years and that “he is honest”. “When he became minister, Delhi govt schools were in poor condition. He worked day and night to bring them up to a level where a judge's child & a rickshaw driver's child sit together to study,” he added. 

Delhi LG on Friday recommended an investigation by the CBI into alleged violations of the Delhi Excise policy and “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” directly naming Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. 

Cornering the Centre, Kejriwal said that “they decide who to send to jail and then a made-up case is presented.” “I know he (Manish Sisodia) will be arrested soon. I knew this months back. The country has a new system now, they decide who to send to jail & then a made-up case is presented,” Kejriwal said. 

He further attacked the government saying that “they cannot see us rise to a national level thus they are resorting to such measures.” “We're not scared of jails, not scared of the noose. They have made several cases against our people. AAP has been growing since its win in Punjab. They cannot see us rise to a national level thus they are resorting to such measures. But nothing will stop us,” he added. 

As per an ANI report quoting sources in the LG office, Deputy CM Sisodia is under the scanner in this matter for alleged deliberate and gross procedural lapses which gave an undue benefit to the tender process for liquor licensees for the year 2021-22. 

Recommendation for a CBI enquiry came after a recent report by the Chief Secretary established prima facie violations of GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Delhi Excise Act 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules 2010.