Fresh Corruption Case filed by CBI against Manish Sisodia; Here's what Arvind Kejriwal's tweet says

Digital Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opened a new corruption investigation against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia for alleged anomalies in the Delhi government's 'Feedback Unit,' according to news agency ANI on Thursday (March 16, 2023).

In response to the CBI movement, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intends to file multiple bogus cases against his former deputy Manish and detain him for an extended length of time. 

"PM plans to slap several false cases against Manish and keep him in custody for a long period. Sad for the country!" read his tweet.

Earlier this month, the Central paved the door for the CBI to file a new case against Manish Sisodia by authorising prosecution in a case involving the alleged collecting of "political intelligence" through a Delhi government department.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs informed Delhi's Lt Governor's office that Sisodia would be prosecuted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988. (powers to police for investigating a public servant).

Sisodia, who is currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail for alleged benefits offered to liquor traders in the development of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy of 2021-22, has termed it a "fake case". 

"As the AAP grows, more cases will be filed against us," he remarked on February 22. 

The CBI stated during its preliminary investigation that the Feedback Unit (FBU), established by the Delhi government to combat corruption, allegedly gathered "political intelligence," and the agency suggested that an FIR be filed against Sisodia. 

The Aam Aadmi Party government proposed establishing the FBU in 2015 to collect relevant information and actionable feedback on the operations of the various departments and autonomous bodies, institutions, and entities under the jurisdiction of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), as well as to conduct "trap cases," according to the CBI.

According to the statement, the unit began operations in 2016 with a budget of Rs 1 crore for secret service spending.

According to the CBI, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal proposed the suggestion at a Cabinet meeting in 2015, but no agenda note was distributed. It alleged that no approval from the Lieutenant Governor was obtained for postings in the FBU.

"In addition to the mandatory material, the Feedback Unit acquired political intelligence/intelligence qua various problems," the CBI stated in its preliminary probe report.

The CBI opened the preliminary investigation after receiving a referral from the Delhi government's vigilance agency, which allegedly discovered anomalies in the FBU.  

The CBI concluded that "delinquent public workers" violated norms, guidelines, and circulars on purpose.

"The nature of the violations committed is fundamentally dishonest, and as such documents reveal abuse of official position with dishonest purpose by concerned public employees Manish Sisodia, Dy. CM, and Sukesh Kumar Jain, the then Secretary (Vigilance")," according to the report.

According to the CBI, 60% of the reports generated by the FBU were about vigilance and corruption, while 40% were about "political intelligence" and other issues. 

It claimed that the FBU was being used for purposes other than those for which it was created by the public workers involved.

"Use of FBU to this degree to gather political intelligence for AAP or its convenor Arvind Kejriwal can plausibly be taken to indicate and constitute the acquiring of valuable things or pecuniary profit," the CBI stated.

The CBI claimed that the FBU was operating for a "hidden purpose" that was not in the interest of the GNCTD but in the "private interest of the Aam Aadmi Party and Manish Sisodia," who was active in the creation of the unit, "flouting" the established rules of the GNCTD and MHA in collusion with Sukesh Kumar Jain, the then vigilance secretary. 

According to the CBI, no formal action was taken against any public officer or department based on FBU reports.