Delhi law department rejects deputy CM Manish Sisodia's request for files on excise policy

New Delhi: The Delhi law department has denied Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s demand for copies of the files related to the now-scrapped Excise Policy 2021-22, news agency PTI quoted official sources as saying, while the government said there was no substance to them. Reacting to it, Sisodia tweeted that instead of diverting things, the agencies should tell what they had found in the investigation so far. The law department said the excise might seek the permission of the investigating agency, which is in possession of the original files, to supply their photocopies. Sources told PTI that Sisodia directed his officer on special duty to ask the excise commissioner for “photocopies and scanned copy (in a pen drive) of files and documents related to the formation of Excise Policy 2021-22 and related tender documents immediately”. The note sent by Sisodia to the excise commissioner on 30 September “demanded for the very files, papers and documents that are under scrutiny and investigation by agencies”. The excise had handed over the files to the CBI and their copies to the ED for the ongoing investigations. It sought the permission of the finance department, which then asked the law department if the papers could be given to Sisodia, sources said. The law department categorically said that the matter is under investigation by various agencies and Manish Sisodia is “reflected as accused No. 1”. Therefore, the “normal procedural of transaction of business of the GNCTD Rules, which empower a minister to call for papers from any department for his information, would not be applicable in this case”, sources said. The department said the excise might seek permission of the investigating agency that has taken the original files to supply the copies. Sources in the Delhi government said there is no substance to the matter. “All their investigations and raids on Deputy CM Manish Sisodia have already failed. The LG is making baseless allegations to defame Sisodia,” sources told PTI. “Now they should tell that their people who went to buy MLAs in Telangana were caught red handed with Rs 100 crore. Modi ji, from whom did they take those Rs 100 crore?” Sisodia tweeted.

बातों को भटकाने की बजाय ये बतायें कि उनको अभी तक जाँच में मिला क्या? कुछ नहीं।

अब ये बताएँ कि तेलेंगाना में MLA ख़रीदने गये इनके लोग रंगे हाथों सौ करोड़ के साथ पकड़े गये। मोदी जी, वो सौ करोड़ किस से लिए? https://t.co/2gjKXAtH87

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 10, 2022

BJP attacks Manish Sisodia The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked Sisodia and called him “number 1 accused in Sharab Ghotala”. “Despite being an accused no.1 in Sharab Ghotala - Dy CM Manish Sisodia was seeking access of Sharab Ghotala - this is clear cut proof of attempt to sabotage the probe! Sisodia should have been sacked long back but now his continuation is untenable after this abuse of position,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.

Despite being an accused no.1 in Sharab Ghotala - Dy CM Manish Sisodia was seeking access of Sharab Ghotala - this is clear cut proof of attempt to sabotage the probe! Sisodia should have been sacked long back but now his continuation is untenable after this abuse of position pic.twitter.com/H6yVKMDPVY

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) November 10, 2022

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The excise scheme came under the scanner after the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The LG had also suspended 11 excise officials. The CBI has also questioned a number of people and arrested businessman Vijay Nair. It also arrested liquor businessman Abhishek Boinpally. The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials had said. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.