Kejriwal should answer as to why Sisodia's bail pleas are getting rejected: Delhi BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should answer as to why his former deputy Manish Sisodia's bail applications in the excise policy case have been repeatedly rejected by courts.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Sisodia in the excise policy case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying being a former deputy chief minister and excise minister, he was a "high-profile" person and has the potential to influence witnesses.
"Kejriwal should answer as to why Sisodia's bail is being rejected again and again. The fact that hawala money went to Goa has also been stated in the CBI charge sheet. Why is the party (AAP), which claims to be hardcore honest, silent on this revelation," Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva asked at a press conference.
According to the CBI charge sheet, there is evidence that the liquor mafia gave Rs 2.2 crore to Sisodia and that money was sent to Goa through hawala. Delhiites want to know what Kejriwal has to say about this, the BJP leader said.
The courts have refused bail to Sisodia on the basis of charge sheets filed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The ED is conducting a money laundering probe in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The Delhi government withdrew the excise policy last year after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in its implementation.
Kejriwal is "morally responsible" for the "scam", Sachdeva said.
He further said that AAP MP Sanjay Singh, whose name was mentioned in the ED charge sheet, has been calling himself innocent.
However, contrary to his claims, he knows knows very well that like Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, there is strong evidence against him too and he will not get bail if he is arrested, Sachdeva said.
"So, Singh is deliberately making statements before the media that his name is not in the charge sheet," he said.
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TMC's reign of terror prevails in West Bengal: Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of party worker Debdeep Chatterjee allegedly by TMC goons, and said his party will not bow before this politics that stains India's non-violent tradition.
Chatterjee was brutally murdered in Asansol during post-poll violence. He was closely associated with Asansol North Congress candidate Prasenjit Puitandi, the party claimed.
The worker was attacked and beaten by those linked to the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and succumbed to injuries shortly thereafter, the West Bengal Congress alleged.
"The murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee by TMC-affiliated goons after the elections is utterly reprehensible. My deepest condolences to the grieving family," Gandhi said in a post on X.
"In West Bengal today, it is not democracy but TMC's reign of terror that prevails. Intimidating, attacking, and eliminating opposing voices after votes are cast -this has become the defining character of TMC," Gandhi also said.
He said the Congress' politics has never been based on violence, nor will it ever be.
"We too have lost our workers, yet we have always chosen the path of non-violence and the Constitution. This is our legacy, this is our resolve. "The demand is clear -immediate arrest of all the guilty, the harshest punishment, and grant full security and compensation for Debdeep's family," the former Congress chief said.
"We will not bow before this politics that stains India's non-violent tradition. Justice will be done," Gandhi said.
The West Bengal Congress, in a post on its X handle, said this tragic incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in the state and raises serious questions about the safety of opposition workers in West Bengal.
"The fact that such violence has occurred immediately after polling highlights a deeply disturbing pattern of political intimidation and vendetta," it said.
The Congress stands firmly with the bereaved family and demands immediate arrest of all those responsible for this heinous crime and a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation. It also said adequate compensation and protection for the victim's family.
"It is deeply concerning that even an FIR had not been registered at the time of reporting, further indicating administrative apathy in the face of such a grave incident.
"The Indian National Congress reiterates that democracy cannot survive in an atmosphere of fear and violence. We will continue to raise our voice against such atrocities and fight to ensure justice for every victim," the party said.
The Congress said the murder of Chatterjee by goons associated with TMC is highly condemnable and termed it a direct attack on democracy.
"Democracy in West Bengal has ended, and TMC's reign of terror continues. Silencing and subduing opposing voices through violence has become TMC's hallmark. We demand that the culprits be arrested immediately and given the harshest possible punishment. We will not allow the democracy of our country to be destroyed by these anti-people forces," the Congress said.
