Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia produced in court; clashes erupt in AAP’s nationwide protests against his arrest

NEW DELHI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by the CBI in the liquor policy case, was produced in court. Abhishek Manu Singhvi is appearing for Sisodia. It is reported that he will apply for bail today itself. Meanwhile, the CBI’s move is to demand Sisodia's 14-day custody.

The Aam Aadmi Party is conducting a nationwide protest against the arrest. Despite tight security, activists are holding large-scale protests in places like Delhi, Bhopal and Chandigarh. Several AAP activists were arrested after clashes broke out with paramilitary forces in front of the BJP headquarters on Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg.

The AAP protests resulted in clashes at many places. Activists threw bottles and placards at the police in Delhi. There was a scuffle with the police. Activists protested in front of the gate of AAP headquarters. The police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the workers. Security has been tightened in Delhi in view of the conflict.

झूठे केस में @msisodia की गिरफ़्तारी के ख़िलाफ़ Rajkot में @AAPGujarat के कार्यकर्ताओं का BJP मुख्यालय के बाहर विरोध प्रदर्शन।

मोदी की तानाशाह पुलिस ने गुजरात में भी AAP कार्यकर्ताओं को हिरासत में लिया। pic.twitter.com/LtZdNT4BPW

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 27, 2023

#WATCH | Aam Aadmi Party workers protest against the arrest of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in connection with liquor policy case in Delhi pic.twitter.com/BkZjcmMqPF

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2023

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responded that most CBI officials were against Sisodia's arrest. “There was no evidence against Sisodia. All CBI officers have great respect for him. The arrest was made because there was political pressure on them.”, said Kejriwal.

The CBI arrested Sisodia after questioning him for eight hours. Sisodia is the first accused in the liquor policy case. He was also questioned on October 17 last year. The main allegation is that the liquor dealers paid a bribe of Rs 100 crore to get the license.

🔥 @AAPOdisha Protests against the arrest of India's Finest Education Minister, @msisodia by PM Modi's CBI 🔥

The clear question is why punish honest work, when there is an internationally known corrupt like Adani lurking around free? pic.twitter.com/g7LOrfeEaa

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 27, 2023

The questioning was done by the anti-corruption wing of the CBI. CBI sources said Sisodia's answers were unsatisfactory and he was not cooperating with the probe. The officials sought details of the liquor policy, links to the accused including the businessman Dinesh Arora who turned an approver and details of messages sent from several phones. The CBI prepared a detailed questionnaire based on the confession of Dinesh Arora and the statements of the arrested persons.