New Delhi: jailed former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being arrogant while he was whisked away from the media by a copy when he produced before a Delhi court on Tuesday. The judicial custody of the Aam Aadmi Party leader who has been accused of alleged money laundering through the now scrapped Delhi excise liquor policy has been extended till June 1.
The party charged that the senior leader was being mishandled and the party leaders were tweeting videos from the corridors of Delhi Rouse Avenue Court. The short video clip shows him being brought out of the courtroom. He was heard being asked about his opinion on the Centre taking Ordinance route to bring Delhi's Services under its ambit in contravention to the Supreme Court ruling.
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In response, Sisodia said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not believe in democracy. "Modi has become very arrogant. He is always interrupting (Delhi Chief Minister Arvind) Kejriwal's work." As he spoke looking into the camera, a policeman who was escorting Sisodia shoved him away from the media glare and whisked him away from the spot.
'Manhandling'-Does the police have the right to misbehave with Manish ji like this? Has the police been asked from above to do this? Kejriwal asked in a tweet in Hindi while quoting the video shared by his party and cabinet colleague Atishi Singh. Atishi has sought the concerned policeman to be suspended. "Shocking misbehaviour by this policeman with Manish ji in Rouse Avenue Court. Delhi police should suspend him immediately.(sic)"
Delhi responding to the Delhi CM's tweet said that it as per the existing laws, accused who were arrested cannot give media interviews. It termed the claims of 'misbehaviour' or 'manhandling' as mere propaganda. The steps taken by the police are for security purpose, it added.
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Earlier, Sisodia requested the court to direct the jail authorities to provide him a chair and a table along with books inside the prison. The Court allowed his request and directed the jail authorities to consider the same. The money laundering case was linked to the alleged excise scam. The Delhi government had implemented the excise policy on Nov. 17, 2021. The government subsequently but scrapped it by September 2022 end amid campaigns from Opposition BJP alleging corruption. Sisodia has been arrested by both the CBI and ED in the connected matter.
