CBI trying to 'maliciously' frame me in Excise case: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia
New Delhi, Jan 15: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida on Sunday alleged that the CBI was trying to "maliciously" frame him and seized his computer to falsely implicate him in the Delhi Excise Policy case.
A CBI team descended on the office of Sisodia on Saturday to seek some records related to the Delhi Excise policy case.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, Sisodia said, "it appears that there is a scope for implanting, deleting and editing the record in the seized CPU by the team of the CBI for making a frivolous case against me."
"In the absence of recording 'HASH VALUE' during the seizure, the CBI can change the record in the seized CPU as per its convenience to maliciously frame me.
"I have clear apprehension that the CBI has seized the CPU to destroy the confidential files/documents stored therein and will implant/edit files in the CPU and use the same to falsely implicate me as my name is not in the CBI chargesheet as an accused with respect to the afore-mention case," he claimed.
'Hash Value' is essentially an electronic fingerprint. The data within a file is represented through a cryptographic algorithm as a value known as Hash Value. It is a string of data variables. Hash Value is the key to determining and validating the integrity of the data in question.
"Though the CBI/ED investigation in the Excise matter has been going on since last August, 2022, it has not led to discovery of any material against me. However, CBI is still continuing with its fishing and roving inquiry in the matter even after the charge sheet has been filed.
"This act clearly demonstrates that no procedural safeguards were complied which would have ensured integrity of electronic documents as mandated under the CBI Manual & IT Act. Therefore, the seizure of the electronic evidence yesterday (Saturday), has lost its authenticity and integrity in the eyes of law," Sisodia added.
The senior AAP leader, who is facing a CBI probe under corruption charges for allegedly tweaking Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy in favour of dealers, said his office was closed since it was a second Saturday.
"Some CBI official telephonically informed my PS (personal secretary) to come to the office and open the same. When my PS reached the office at around 3 pm, he saw that a team of CBI officials was already present at my office," Sisodia said in the statement.
The CBI officials allegedly asked him to open the office and to take them to the conference room.
"As they reached the conference room, they saw a computer installed therein, asked my PS to switch it on, assessed the same, and, forthwith, handed over a notice...
"As per the notice, the secretary was requested to produce the CPU of the system installed in my conference room. Thereafter, the CPU from the conference room of my office was seized without following the due procedure laid down," Sisodia alleged in his statement.
The minister also alleged that the notice given to his personal secretary was handwritten.
"The said conduct/act of the CBI Officials also shows their malice whereby the notice was given and immediately the said property was seized that too without following the guidelines," he said.
The probe agency, however, has rejected Sisodia's claims.
"During any search or seizure, the CBI follows the procedure as per the letter of the law," a CBI spokesperson said on Sunday.
The CBI probe into the alleged excise scam was recommended last year by Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena. The agency had registered a case against several persons, including Sisodia.
The agency had also questioned the AAP leader in connection with the case for several hours besides conducting raids at his official residence.
The agency filed its first charge sheet against seven accused on November 25 last year. Sisodia did not figure in the document.
Officials said investigators have kept the probe open into the alleged role of Sisodia, a senior AAP leader, and others named in the FIR.
Arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally were among the seven accused named in the charge sheet.
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Bengal elections: Bhangar tense during polling, ISF claims voters, agents threatened
Kolkata (PTI): Tension gripped South 24 Parganas' Bhangar and its adjoining areas during the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accusing TMC of trying to intimidate polling agents and influence voters.
NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal, where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.
On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, in Bhangar. Later, on a directive by the Union Home Ministry, the NIA registered a case to probe the recovery of 79 crude bombs in the state.
Trouble was reported from several pockets of Bhangar and Canning Purba constituency since morning, prompting heavy deployment of central forces, state police and NIA teams in sensitive areas.
At Hedia in Canning Purba constituency, the ISF alleged that one of its polling agents received death threats from TMC supporters.
ISF candidate Arabul Islam rushed to the spot after receiving the complaint and accused the administration of failing to ensure a fair election.
"Votes are being looted in Canning Purba. Our agents in booths are being driven out of several booths after snatching their cards and documents," he alleged.
Since morning, Islam was seen visiting booths and asking security personnel to clear gatherings within 100 metres of polling stations, while also assisting ISF polling agents in entering booths.
ISF chairman and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui also alleged that party workers and agents were being intimidated by ruling party supporters, but claimed that the overall atmosphere in Bhangar was comparatively peaceful compared to previous elections.
The fresh allegations and tension came a day after several areas of Bhangar, including Kochpukur and Joypur under Bhangar-II block, witnessed clashes between TMC and ISF supporters.
ISF supporters alleged that workers of the ruling party roamed through neighbourhoods on Tuesday night and threatened locals. When ISF workers protested, clashes broke out, leaving at least four of their compatriots, including a woman, injured.
Later, Siddiqui said, "The people of Bhangar are finally exercising their democratic rights. Earlier, bombs, bullets and pistols decided elections here. This time, people are choosing ballots and voting with a smile."
He alleged that "political dealers" and local goons loyal to TMC leader and Bhangar candidate Saukat Molla were trying to provoke ISF workers and create tension in certain areas.
"Agents are being threatened and prevented from functioning freely. We repeatedly informed the administration, but police are acting in favour of the ruling party and not cooperating," Siddiqui alleged.
Later in the day, the ISF leader also claimed that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise freely during the 2023 panchayat polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the situation has improved this time, he said.
The TMC denied the allegations and accused the ISF of trying to create unrest in the constituency to influence polling.
Security was significantly tightened in Bhangar, where, apart from state police and central forces, a special team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also deployed to monitor sensitive pockets.
