CBI defers Manish Sisodia’s questioning in Delhi excise case
The Hindu
The AAP leader has not been named as an accused in the charge sheet as the investigation against him and other suspects is still going on
After Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on February 19 sought time to appear for questioning in the Delhi Excise policy case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials said he will not join the investigation on Sunday.
CBI will reissue a fresh date soon, officials were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The CBI on Saturday summoned the senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader for questioning on Sunday.
“I have written to the CBI and asked for time for February last week as I am finalising the budget of Delhi and it is a crucial time. I have told them that I will come after the last week of February,” he told reporters.
It’s my duty as Finance Minister to present the budget on time and I have been working 24 hours for it. I have requested the CBI to allow me to come after the last week of February and answer all their questions, he told reporters.
The development took a political turn, with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal stating that the case was only a political conspiracy, while the BJP is questioning why the policy was withdrawn if there was no scam.
“There was no liquor scam. It was the best policy in the country. The same policy was implemented in Punjab and the revenue increased by 48%. In Delhi, due to political vendetta, the case was made as a political conspiracy. Manish ji will go tomorrow and we will cooperate completely. In the end, truth will win,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
The Medical & Health Department launched a mass screening test in the tribal hamlets of Buruga and China Konela of Ananthagiri mandal in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Monday, June 10. It also organised a medical camp to detect malaria cases and treat those with symptoms of the infection at Buruga.