The political landscape of Delhi witnessed a major upheaval when the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Manish Sisodia, was sent to a five-day remand custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged irregularities in the excise policy for the year 2021-22. The development has further intensified the already escalating political battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The CBI had registered a case against Sisodia and others, alleging that the Delhi government had illegally granted liquor licenses to several private companies. The probe agency claimed that Sisodia, who is also the state’s Finance Minister, was involved in the process and had allegedly given undue favors to the companies.
– “I am the finance minister. I’ve to present the budget…. what changed yesterday that the finance minister was to be placed under custody? Was he not available for next days? Or was this arrest done for ulterior motive? This case is an assault on an individual as well as the institution. Remand will send a message, this is a fit case for declining remand,” Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan told the court. He argued that the decision cannot be attributed to Sisodia or questioned because he acted as a member of the Delhi government.
Amidst protests by AAP supporters in several states, a Delhi court granted the CBI’s request for five days’ remand of Sisodia to question him about the alleged irregularities. Special CBI Judge M K Nagpal allowed the probe agency to keep Sisodia in custody, stating that the deputy CM had “failed to provide satisfactory answers.”
The arrest of Sisodia has sparked a massive outrage among AAP supporters, who have alleged that it is a politically motivated move by the BJP-led central government. Several AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have accused the BJP of using the CBI as a tool to target their party leaders.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the CBI’s actions and claimed that the arrest was made based on evidence of wrongdoing by Sisodia and other AAP leaders. The opposition party has also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and asked the Delhi government to come clean on the alleged irregularities.
The arrest of Sisodia has once again brought to the forefront the issue of corruption in Indian politics. While the AAP has been hailed for its anti-corruption stance, the allegations against Sisodia have raised questions about the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The case also highlights the need for a robust and independent investigative agency that is not influenced by political pressure. The CBI, which has been accused of being a puppet in the hands of the ruling government, needs to regain its credibility as a neutral agency that acts in the interest of justice.
The arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged irregularities in the excise policy for 2021-22 has once again stirred the political pot in Delhi. While the AAP has accused the BJP of using the CBI as a political tool, the BJP has defended the arrest and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. The case highlights the need for a robust and independent investigative agency that is not influenced by political pressure and acts in the interest of justice.
