Manish Sisodia Arrest LIVE: Security Beefed Up in Delhi as AAP Plans Massive Protest; Dy CM to be Produced in Court at 2 pm Today

Manish Sisodia will be presented in the court at 2 pm, sources told CNN News18. As of now, Dayan Krishnan is his lawyer. AAP has approached Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is yet to confirm, they added.

AAP general secretary Sandeep Pathak said the party will protest across the country against Sisodia’s arrest on Monday.

“The Dy. CM was issued a notice u/s 41A Cr.P.C for attending the investigation on 19.02.2023. However, he sought time of one week citing his pre-occupation. Accepting his request, he was issued a notice u/s 41A Cr.P.C for attending the investigation today (on 26.02.2023) for answering various questions evaded by him during his examination on 17.10.2022 and further questions relating to his incriminating role based on evidence collected during the investigation of the case. However, he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Therefore, he has been arrested. The arrested accused will be produced before the Designated Court, Delhi,” the CBI said. READ MORE

CBI sources said Sisodia could not answer when asked about crucial files that have gone missing. “Multiple mobile phones were changed by Sisodia once the investigation began, they could have crucial evidence pertaining to the case. Those mobiles have to be recovered. Witnesses have to be confronted.” READ MORE

“It is a black day for democracy,” the AAP said Sunday while claiming that Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was innocent and has been arrested due to vendetta politics, a charge rejected by the BJP which said the law was taking its course.

The BJP alleged that AAP leaders had failed to explain several questionable actions in the Delhi excise policy matter, and said that agencies do not work on emotion but look into technicalities.

While the Delhi Congress demanded that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should also be arrested and calling him the “mastermind”, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) took a swipe at the BJP, saying only agencies like the CBI and the ED remain its “true allies”.

“AAP Karyakartas from all constituencies of Delhi have been asked to reach the party office. The protest and action will also depend on the Court proceedings,” sources told CNN News18.

The CBI on Sunday arrested Sisodia in connection with alleged corruption in the now-scrapped excise policy relating to the sale of alcohol, in a move that could plunge the national capital into a governance crisis and further widen the political rift between the AAP and the BJP-led Central government. AAP has announced a nationwide protest against Siodia’s arrest today.

The Aam Aadmi Party is set to stage nationwide protests on Monday against Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s arrest in connection with the alleged liquor excise policy case. The party will also hold protests at the BJP headquarters in the national capital around 12 pm, news agency ANI reported.

Police presence has started to increase at AAP’s office in Delhi ahead of the party’s nationwide protest against Manish Sisodia’s arrest in the liquor policy case today. At least three buses Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been deployed outside AAP’s office here.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday, seven hours after he was questioned by the central agency in connection to the excise policy scam case. READ MORE

Sisodia was arrested after nearly eight hours of questioning on various aspects of the excise policy for 2021-22, which the probe agency says suffered from irregularities both in its formulation and implementation, allegedly intended to benefit people with links to the AAP.

The CBI investigators were not satisfied with Sisodia’s answers, an official said, adding he was not cooperating in the probe and avoided clarifications sought on crucial points.

“He gave evasive replies and did not cooperate in the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Therefore, he has been arrested,” the CBI said in a statement.

The AAP on Sunday described the arrest of party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as the “height of dictatorship” and a “black day for democracy”. The party said the BJP “carried out” the arrest due to political vendetta and said God will not forgive Prime Minister Narendra Modi for it.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who along with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann visited Sisodia’s residence here, said the AAP will take responsibility for his deputy’s family. Kejriwal said Sisodia’s arrest is “nothing but dirty politics”.

“Manish Sisodia is innocent and his arrest is nothing but dirty politics. There is a lot of anger among the people over his arrest. Everyone is watching and the public will give a befitting response. His arrest will only boost our spirits further, our struggle will get stronger,” he said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday slammed the BJP-led Centre over his deputy Manish Sisodia’s arrest, saying people will respond to it as they are watching how “patriots and honest people” are being jailed while “no action is taken” against those looting the country’s banks. “Manish Sisodia has been arrested in a completely false case. Manish ji is a gentleman, a patriot as well as an honest and brave person who was busy serving the country round the clock,” Kejriwal told reporters after meeting the deputy chief minister’s wife at her residence following his arrest.

Kejriwal and along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Sisodia’s residence to meet his wife and assured her of all support.

Speaking to reporters outside Sisodia’s residence, Mann alleged that Sisodia has been arrested by the CBI in “a false case” just to “scare and break” the Aam Aadmi Party team.

“I might have to stay in jail for a few months, but I am not worried about it at all,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said in a letter to Delhiites before he left for the CBI office for questioning in the Delhi excise policy case on Sunday.

He said false allegations have been levelled against him and he is confident that he will be cleared of all charges in court. “These people are going to arrest me today. They have levelled false allegations against me. I am sure all these cases will be dismissed in court, but it might take some time. It is possible that I might have to stay in jail for a few months. But I am not worried about it at all,” Sisodia said in his letter, without naming anyone.

“We are followers of Bhagat Singh. He embraced capital punishment for the sake of the country. Going to jail is a small thing,” he said.

In his message, Sisodia also spoke about his wife, who he said had supported him throughout his journey, but would be left alone after his arrest.

“My wife has been very supportive. We have seen many ups and downs. I was working as a journalist and earning well and getting promotions regularly. My career was doing well. Then one day, I quit my job and joined Arvind Kejriwal and started working in jhuggis. The security in life ended but my wife always supported me and gave me strength,” he said.

He said his wife has not been keeping well and their only son is in Canada, which means she will be left alone after his arrest. He requested AAP workers to take care of her while he is away.