Liquor Policy Case: CBI Arrests Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

After hours of questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the central agency on Sunday, 26 February, reported NDTV.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai were among the 50 persons detained while protesting near the (CBI) office earlier in the day, news agency ANI quoted the Delhi Police as saying.

The AAP leaders were detained at the Fatehpur Beri police station even as Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is in for questioning by the central investigating agency over the liquor policy case.

What's happening: Sisodia, after meeting his mother, also visited the Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Delhi's Rajghat. He has reached CBI's headquarters in central Delhi's Lodhi Road.

CBI दफ़्तर जाने के पहले, राजघाट पर बापू का आशीर्वाद लेने आया हूँ | LIVE https://t.co/tnFfqYUCTY

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 26, 2023

What's expected: AAP leaders have alleged that they have been put under house arrest because the CBI will arrest Sisodia after the questioning today.

What has Sisodia said: Before leaving his residence, Sisodia said in a tweet, "Going to CBI again today, will cooperate fully in the entire investigation. The love of lakhs of children and the blessings of crores of countrymen are with us. I don't care if I have to stay in jail for a few months. I am a follower of Bhagat Singh who was hanged for the country."

आज फिर CBI जा रहा हूँ, सारी जाँच में पूरा सहयोग करूँगा. लाखों बच्चो का प्यार व करोड़ो देशवासियो का आशीर्वाद साथ है
कुछ महीने जेल में भी रहना पड़े तो परवाह नहीं. भगत सिंह के अनुयायी हैं, देश के लिए भगत सिंह फाँसी पर चढ़ गए थे. ऐसे झूठे आरोपों की वजह से जेल जाना तो छोटी सी चीज़ है

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 26, 2023

Stating that he will be arrested today, Sisodia spoke to AAP workers and the media and thanked his wife for always supporting him.

ज़िंदगी में बहुत उतार-चढ़ाव देखे हैं, मेरी Wife ने मेरा बहुत साथ दिया है।

मेरा बेटा University में पढ़ता है, मेरी Wife कल बहुत बीमार थी। वो घर पर अकेली रहेगी।

आप सभी को मेरे परिवार का बहुत ख़्याल रखना है।

-Dy CM @msisodia #ModiFearsKejriwal pic.twitter.com/83t5ISFORb

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 26, 2023

Previous questioning: Sisodia, who is also Delhi's Finance Minister, was previously questioned on 19 February. He had sought a week's time for making Delhi Budget, which the CBI had agreed to.

What's the controversy: Sisodia and others face corruption allegations in bringing a new liquor sale policy in the national capital. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had ordered the CBI probe last year. The Delhi government reverted to the old liquor policy and blamed the Lieutenant Governor for loss of revenue worth crores of rupees.

AAP Members Detained: AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai were among the 50 persons detained while protesting near the CBI office on Sunday, news agency ANI quoted the Delhi Police as saying.