The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly arrested Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi government’s liquor policy. Sisodia has been booked on charges of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
According to sources, the CBI conducted raids at several locations in Delhi, including Sisodia’s office and residence, before arresting him. The agency has also reportedly seized several incriminating documents and electronic devices from the locations searched.
The CBI has been investigating the Delhi government’s liquor policy, which was introduced by Sisodia in 2022. The policy, which aimed to provide cheaper and safer alcohol to the people of Delhi, has been mired in controversy since its inception.
Opposition parties have accused the government of favouring certain liquor manufacturers and distributors and of manipulating the policy to benefit a few individuals. The CBI’s investigation is said to be focused on these allegations of corruption and favouritism.
Sisodia has denied any wrongdoing and has called the arrest a political vendetta by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has also accused the BJP of using the CBI as a tool to intimidate and harass political opponents.
The arrest of Sisodia has sparked outrage among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which he represents. The party has called the arrest an attack on the democratic values of the country and has demanded the immediate release of Sisodia.
Several senior leaders of the party, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have condemned the arrest and have accused the BJP of trying to destabilize the Delhi government.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the CBI’s actions and has said that the investigation is being conducted in a fair and impartial manner. The party has accused the AAP of indulging in corruption and of using the liquor policy to benefit its own members.
The arrest of Sisodia is likely to have far-reaching political implications in Delhi and in the country as a whole. It comes at a time when the political temperature in the country is high, with several states scheduled to go to polls later this year.
The AAP has been trying to expand its footprint beyond Delhi and has been actively campaigning in several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The arrest of Sisodia is likely to hamper the party’s efforts and may also lead to a further deterioration in its relations with the BJP.
The Delhi government has been in a constant tussle with the BJP-led central government since its inception. The arrest of Sisodia is likely to escalate the tension between the two sides and may lead to a further breakdown in communication.
It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds in the coming days and what impact it has on the political landscape of the country. The arrest of a senior leader like Sisodia is a rare occurrence and is likely to have significant repercussions in the days and weeks to come.
