CBI will find only 4 pencils, notebooks and geometry box at Sisodia's residence: Raghav Chadha
New Delhi(PTI): The CBI will find only four pencils, some notebooks and a geometry box only at the residence of Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, the AAP MP Raghav Chadha said on Friday after the investigation agency's raid.
Taking a dig at the BJP-led Centre over the CBI raid at Sisodia's residence, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP said the central probe agency had raided the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the past and found just "four mufflers" there.
"When raids were conducted at Arvind Kejriwal's residence earlier, they found four mufflers," he told a press conference.
"During raids at Manish Sisodia's residence, they will get four pencils, note books and a geometry box," he added.
The CBI on Friday carried out searches at over 10 locations in Delhi-NCR including the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia in Delhi Excise Policy case, officials said.
The CBI has registered an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in formulation and execution of Delhi Excise Policy brought in November last year, they said.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had recommended a CBI probe into the Kejriwal government's Excise Policy, 2021-22, over alleged violations of rules and procedural lapses.
Chadha asserted that Sisodia will come out clean of the allegations levelled against him as he did not done anything wrong.
The CBI has conducted raids at Sisodia's residence in connection with some other matter earlier in the past but couldn't get anything incrimination against him.
"All the cases collapsed in court and truth won. Sisodia came out victorious as he was acquitted by the court," he said.
The AAP MP said the several "fake cases" were filed against more than 100 AAP leaders including MLAs and Ministers at the behest of the BJP in the past but none of them could stand the scrutiny of the court.
"Investigation agencies had to face the wrath of the court and we were acquitted, he said.
In a tweet in Hindi, Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said, "Making raids a political 'hathkandda' (tool) is condemnable." PTI PK NAV
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
