CBI summons Manish Sisodia again in Delhi Excise Policy case

Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally were among the seven accused named in the charge sheet.

The CBI has called Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for questioning in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case nearly three months after filing the charge sheet in the case, officials said Saturday.

Sisodia, called on Sunday for questioning, has not been named as accused in the charge sheet, they said.

Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally were among the seven accused named in the charge sheet.

It is alleged the Delhi government's policy to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP.

"It was further alleged that irregularities were committed including in modifications in Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, extension of L-1 license without approval etc.

"It was also alleged that illegal gains on count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts," the CBI spokesperson had said.

The Delhi Excise Policy case refers to a legal dispute in the Indian state of Delhi regarding the new excise policy introduced by the Delhi government in 2021. The policy was aimed at simplifying the licensing process for liquor shops in the state, but it was challenged in court by various stakeholders, including resident welfare associations and liquor vendors.

The Delhi High Court heard arguments from both sides and ultimately upheld the policy, ruling that it was within the jurisdiction of the Delhi government and that it did not violate any constitutional provisions or principles of natural justice. The court also noted that the policy would help streamline the process of issuing licenses and reduce corruption in the liquor industry.