CBI raids residence of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

According to CBI sources raids were conducted at 21 locations in Delhi-NCR in connection with the excise policy case.

Delhi:The CBI on Friday raided the residence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia after lodging an FIR in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

According to CBI sources, Sisodia's residence was among the 21 locations raide by the Central agency in Delhi-NCR which also included former Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, a 2012-batch IAS officer. They further revealed that the Central agency registered the FIR in relation to the alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy brought in November last year.

Reacting to the incident Sisodia alleged that some people are troubled by the excellent performance of the Delhi Government's Health and Education Department and hence both the Health and Education Minister has been arrested.

"These people are troubled by the excellent work of Delhi's education and health. That is why the Health Minister and Education Minister of Delhi have been arrested so that the good work on education and health can be stopped. There are false allegations against both of us. The truth will come out in court," tweeted Sisodia.

"We welcome CBI. Will give full cooperation in the investigation so that the truth can come out soon. Till now many cases have been filed against me but nothing has come out. Nothing will come out of it either. My work cannot be stopped for good education in the country," he stated in another tweet.

Earlier, Delhi LG VK Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into the Delhi Government's Excise Policy, 2021-22, over alleged violations of rules and procedural lapses. The CBI inquiry was recommended on the basis of Delhi Chief Secretary's report filed in July, showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009 and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, CBI sources said.

Apart from this, there were also "deliberate and gross procedural lapses" to provide post tender "undue benefits to liquor licensees", they added. Earlier Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain was arrested by ED in connection with a money laundering case. (with Agency inputs)