9.5 hours, 56 questions: Kejriwal grilled by ‘courteous’ CBI officers

| Updated: 17 April, 2023 12:49 am IST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for 9.5 hours, where he was asked 56 questions related to the now scrapped Delhi Excise Policy. Kejriwal had been summoned by the CBI on Saturday in connection with the Excise policy scam. After the questioning, Kejriwal stated that he had answered all questions related to the Delhi Excise policy developments from 2020 until today. He also thanked the CBI officers for their hospitality during the questioning.

Kejriwal maintained that the allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government were false and baseless and it is a means to stall the political ambitions and national expansion of the party. “We practice clean politics. We have now been accorded the status of a National Party. They are scared of our growth and that’s why they are using these tactics,” said Kejriwal.

He further stated that the CBI officers did not indicate whether he would be called in for questioning again.

Flanked by party leaders Atishi on side and Bhagwant Mann on another, the Chief Minister addressed the press saying that he was treated well by the sleuths of the CBI. “First of all I want to express my gratitude to the officers of CBI who were extremely courteous and cordial in their hospitality towards me. They asked me questions very respectfully.”

As per the CBI sources, the case was registered against then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Minister In-charge of Excise, GNCT of Delhi, and 14 others for investigation into the allegations of irregularities in framing and implementation of Excise Policy for the year 2021-22 and extending post tender benefits to private persons. The CBI has already filed a charge-sheet against the CEO of a Mumbai-based firm and six other accused persons. Further investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, before joining the probe, Kejriwal went to Rajghat to offer prayers at Gandhi Samadhi, accompanied by senior party leaders and cabinet ministers. AAP leaders also protested near the CBI headquarters, and over 1000 party workers were detained by the Delhi police and taken to various police stations. They were allowed to go only after Kejriwal left the CBI in the late evening.

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