It was a dramatic Sunday on February 26 as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters took to the streets in an apparent show of strength and solidarity as party leader Manish Sisodia appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sisodia, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was summoned by the central investigation agency to its headquarters for questioning regarding the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case.
One of the tallest leaders in the party, Sisodia stoked the fire as he compared himself to the great freedom fighter, ‘Shaheed’ Bhagat Singh, as he said he is going to be arrested by the CBI.
“Going to CBI again today will cooperate fully in the entire investigation. The love of lakhs of children and the blessings of crores of countrymen are with us. I don’t care if I have to stay in jail for a few months. I am a follower of Bhagat Singh. He laid his life for the country. Going to jail for a false charge is a small thing,” he tweeted.
On Sunday, Sisodia was summoned in the case for the second time. He first requested more time to appear before the CBI, citing his work relating to the preparation of Delhi’s budget. Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s finance minister, was to appear before the agency last Sunday.
CBI, which registered the case on August 17, 2022. The agency had already questioned some political bigwigs, including K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief minister and Bharath Rashtra Party leader K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with the case.
Sisodia, who is also Delhi’s education minister, left his house at about 10 am. He was accompanied by AAP MP Sanjay Singh and a few other AAP leaders. As Sisodia came out of his residence, his supporters shouted shiksha mantri, tujhe salaam (hail education minister).
Before leaving his house, Sisodia also met with his mother and took her blessings.
Sisodia also visited Rajghat and offered prayers at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi. Making an emotional appeal to supporters outside Rajghat, Sisodia asked them to take care of his wife, who is unwell.
“My wife has always been there for me. Before joining AAP, I was also a journalist. Used to anchor the news. Everything was going fine. My wife supported me throughout my journey,” he said.
“Today she needs support. She is unwell and alone in the house. She needs your support. You need to take care of her,” Sisodia made an emotional appeal.
Sisodia and his entourage reached CBO headquarters in Lodhi Colony at around 11 am. Anticipating protests by the AAP supporters, the Delhi Police imposed Section 144 (prohibitory order) around the CBI headquarters.
Sisodia was named as accused number one in the case. Along with him, his close aide Vijay Nair, who is also the party’s communication in-charge, and 13 private people and entities across Lucknow, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Karnataka, which include liquor firms Brindco and Indospirit are also named in the case.
In August last year, the agency carried out searches at several locations, including the premises of Sisodia. ED had also carried out searches at over 189 locations in connection with the case.