Liquor Scam: Delhi Deputy CM Arrested

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been arrested in connection with the alleged liquor scam of Delhi government. The CBI officials have arrested Manish Sisodia after questioning him for over 8 hours. As per the officials, the Deputy CM will be produced in the CBI court on Monday i.e 27th February at 2 pm. This was the second time Sisodia was questioned by the CBI over the withdrawn excise policy. He also holds the Education Ministry in the Delhi government.

Interestingly, Manish Sisodia earlier today stated that he does not care even if he has to go to jail over “false allegations”. Hours after his statement, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI officials. Sisodia is one of the 15 accused named by the CBI in the FIR filed on Aug 17, 2022. Telangana CM KCR’s daughter and MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha’s name was also mentioned in the CBI report. YSRCP MP Magunta Srinivasula Reddy’s son Magenta Raghava was already arrested. Sarath Chandra Reddy, one of the directors of Aurobindo Pharma happens to be the own brother of Vijay Sai Reddy’s son-in-law Rohit Reddy.

It all began with AAP came up with new Excise policy. However, this raised several doubts from various corners as it is going to help the private players. With allegations on rise, the Delhi government decided to scrap the new policy and bring back the ‘old excise regime’ that was in force before November 17, 2020. With this, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the alleged violations of rules and procedural flaws in the implementation of the excise policy. The ED and CBI have carried out multiple searches at various places in the country, including the home of deputy CM Sisodia.

Vijay Nair, ex CEO of Only Much Louder, an event management company, Manoj Rai, former employee of Pernod Ricard, Amandeep Dhal, owner of Brindco Spirits, and Sameer Mahendru, the owner of Indo Spirits are allegedly involved in irregularities in framing and implementation of the withdrawn excise policy. Vijay Nair was close aide of Manish Sisodia.