Along with Sisodia, the house of IAS officer and former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna and other locations across seven states and Union Territories were raided.
New Delhi: Hours after conducting a raid at Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s home and 18 other locations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday listed 15 accused, including Sisodia in number 1, in its FIR. The raids were conducted in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy.
Along with Sisodia, the house of IAS officer and former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna and other locations across seven states and Union Territories were raided.
Meanwhile, media sources said the Enforcement Directorate may initiate a money laundering probe over the “framing and execution of the AAP government’s excise policy”.
Also Read: CBI raids Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s residence, other locations over liquor policy
According to sources, the ED is examining the details of the CBI case, the alleged involvement of the various government officials and private individuals and the probable trail of illegal money. It is believed that the ED, after having examined the case, will file a formal case under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national Capital had introduced Delhi Excise Policy in November last year. The government had disturbed hundreds of licenses to open liquor shops across Delhi. Meanwhile, the move of the government had drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition leaders who demanded immediate roll back of the policy.
The CBI’s move to search the premises of Manish Sisodia and others irked AAP leaders who claimed the BJP and CBI are targeting the Deputy CM for political vendetta. The party leaders said Sisodia has transformed education in Delhi and this is the main reason why BJP is targeting him.
Moments after a CBI team reached his residence, Manish Sisodia tweeted in Hindi, “CBI has come. They are welcome. We are extremely honest. Making the future of millions of children. It is very unfortunate that those who do good work in our country are harassed like this. That is why our country has not yet become number-1.”
