Quixplained: what is ex-Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia accused of in now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy?

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was sent to 14-day judicial custody on March 06, 2023, by Rouse Avenue Court.

Sisodia who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, was in the central agency's custody till March 06, 2023.

The former Delhi minister was arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

While Sisodia will remain in custody till March 20, 2023, let's take a quick look at what the former finance minister is accused of by the federal agency.

WHAT IS THE DELHI EXCISE POLICY?

The Delhi excise policy was proposed in 2020 and implemented in November 2021. The policy marked the exit of the city government from the liquor business in Delhi.

Under the policy, Delhi was divided into 32 excise zones and 849 liquor vends were awarded to private businesses through open bidding.

The policy which was brought into effect in order to increase the government's revenues and better customer experience was met with large-scale opposition from the public as well as the Opposition.

"It aimed to end the liquor mafia and black marketing, increase revenue and improve the consumer experience, and ensure equitable distribution of liquor vends," reported The Indian Express.

The government also provided relaxations to liquor sellers by allowing them to offer discounts to consumers and also set their own prices irrespective of the product's maximum retail price (MRP).

WHAT IS MANISH SISODIA ACCUSED OF?

In July 2022, the policy was embroiled in controversy after a report by the Chief Secretary of Delhi Naresh Kumar stated that Sisodia, who held the excise portfolio then, provided undue advantages to liquor vend licensees in lieu of 'kickbacks' and 'commissions', which were allegedly used by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the Indian Express reported.

Also Watch: Manish Sisodia sent to judicial custody till March 20; bail plea to be heard on March 10

The Chief Secretary's report also stated that Sisodia allegedly made changes to the excise policy without the approval of the L-G and the Delhi cabinet which was illegal and in violation of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010 and the Transaction of Business Rules, 1993.

Kumar's report further alleged that Sisodia gave undue benefits to liquor licensees by revising the rates of foreign liquor and removing the levy of an import pass fee of Rs 50 per case of beer. According to the report, this made foreign liquor cheaper for retail, resulting in revenue loss for the state exchequer.

The IE further reported, officials said that if any changes are made to a policy that has already been implemented, the excise department needs to place them before the cabinet, and forward it to the L-G for final approval.

Following the Chief Secretary's report, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered a CBI probe over alleged violations of rules during the implementation of the excise policy. The Delhi government was then forced to roll back the excise policy and revert to the old liquor policy in July 2022.

The CBI lodged an FIR against Sisodia and 14 others in the case on 17 August 2022 under various sections of the IPC, including 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 477A (falsification of records), and section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The federal agency also conducted 31 raids across states and Union territories in the same month, including at Sisodia's residence in Delhi.

Sisodia was summoned by the CBI in October and his statement was recorded.

On February 26, 2023, during the second round of questioning, Sisodia was grilled by the investigation agency for around 8 hours and then arrested.

Sisodia resigned as a minister in the Delhi government along with jailed AAP leader Satyender Jain on February 28, 2023.