The CBI informed a Delhi court on Wednesday that during questioning, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed his former deputy Manish Sisodia for recommending the privatisation of liquor stores in the city under the now-scrapped excise policy. Kejriwal has vehemently denied these claims.
The central probe agency made the claim before the Rouse Avenue Court after arresting Kejriwal in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. The Aam Aadmi Chief (AAP) was also questioned by the CBI on Tuesday.
"I did not make any statement that Manish Sisodia is guilty," Kejriwal said. “Manish Sisodia is absolutely innocent. Their aim is to defame us. I told the CBI yesterday that these are absurd allegations."
Countering Kejriwal’s denial, the CBI told the court, "We have talked on facts."
The court objected to the CBI’s assertion that Kejriwal placed the "entire onus" of the alleged privatisation issue on Sisodia. The court stated, "We have read the statement made by him. Kejriwal has not made any such statement."
The court clarified that Kejriwal merely mentioned that privatisation was not his idea and the CBI's claim was "wrongly perceived".
During the hearing, Kejriwal proclaimed Sisodia’s innocence and accused the CBI of twisting facts.
"They asked me about objectives [of excise policy]. I said increasing revenue, and that there were long lines [outside liquor vends]. I called Sisodia and gave him directions. Then [CBI] asked whose idea was privatisation. I said it was not my idea," Kejriwal clarified.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 last year for his alleged role in the scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently arrested him on March 9, 2023, in a money laundering case stemming from the CBI’s probe. As Excise Minister, Sisodia was responsible for formulating a new liquor policy for Delhi.
