The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given the green signal to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case pertains to the alleged collection of "political intelligence" through a government department, the feedback unit (FBU), during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
According to the CBI, the FBU was used for political snooping, and its creation flouted established rules, allegedly in connivance with Sukesh Kumar Jain, the then vigilance secretary. The CBI inquiry report claims that the FBU was functioning for some "hidden purpose" that was not in the interest of the national capital, but for "private interest of AAP and Sisodia," who played an active role in the unit's creation.
This development has created fresh trouble for Sisodia, who is already facing a CBI case for alleged favours extended to liquor traders in the formulation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021-22. He is scheduled to appear before the probe agency on February 26.
Reacting to the Centre's move, Sisodia took to Twitter and hit out at the government, describing the act as "cowardly." He also claimed that filing false cases against political rivals is a sign of a weak and cowardly person. He further added that the more the AAP grows, the more cases would be filed against the party.
The latest development has further fueled the political tussle between the Centre and the AAP-led Delhi government. It remains to be seen how the legal battle unfolds, and if the charges against Sisodia hold ground.
(Inputs from www.tribuneindia.com)