CBI registers case against Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, 15 others

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 15 others on charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, falsification of accounts and undue advantage in connection with the state's liquor policy.

The agency also carried out searches at 31 locations in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bengaluru, including Sisodia's residence in the national capital. As per available information, Sisodia's personal vehicle was also searched. The agency on Friday claimed that the searches led to the recovery of incriminating documents/articles, digital records, etc.

Besides Sisodia, who is the prime accused, the CBI booked three other public servants who were previously working in the Delhi excise department: former excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, as well as former deputy and assistant commissioners Anand Tiwari and Pankaj Bhatnagar.


The FIR also names 10 liquor licensees and their associates, as well as unknown others on a reference from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The CBI may summon the accused for questioning. The Enforcement Directorate may also launch a money-laundering probe, after ascertaining whether any proceeds of crime were created by the accused.

The CBI has alleged that irregularities were committed including in the modifications in the excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee and extension of the L-1 licence without approval.

It claimed that illegal gains on account of these acts were diverted to public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books.

The FIR has been registered on a complaint by the MHA.