Controversy Brews as Manish Sisodia Visits Pathankot Amidst Facing Corruption Probes

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A liquor shop in Delhi (Representational Image). Photo: Rakesh Raman / RMN News Service

Controversy Brews as Manish Sisodia Visits Pathankot Amidst Facing Corruption Probes

This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of serious corruption allegations and legal proceedings against Sisodia, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is ruling in Punjab.

Pathankot, Punjab – Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s personal visit to Ranjit Sagar Dam in Pathankot has stirred up a controversy. The visit, which reportedly involves a stay at local huts with family for two days, has drawn criticism due to the deployment of government doctors.

The Tribune has reported about Sisodia’s visit in its article of today (April 26). According to the report, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa commented on the situation, suggesting Sisodia must be “very sick going by the team of government doctors deployed”. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) spokesperson Teena Chowdhury also criticised the use of specialist doctors from the Civil Hospital, arguing it would impact common patients.

Civil Hospital authorities reportedly deleted names of doctors scheduled for duty from WhatsApp groups after the issue was raised. Duty rosters listed multiple teams of doctors, including specialists and medical officers, along with paramedical staff, assigned to cover periods on April 25th and 26th. A senior district administration officer, however, denied that any security or health facilities had been provided to Sisodia.

This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of serious corruption allegations and legal proceedings against Sisodia, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is ruling in Punjab. He is currently facing prosecution approvals in two major cases: the Delhi school construction scam and the Delhi liquor policy case.

In the Delhi school construction scam, allegations revolve around irregularities and alleged inflated costs in building classrooms in Delhi government schools. Sources claim that rooms were constructed at a rate of ₹8,800 per square foot, significantly higher than the tender lump sum cost of ₹24.86 lakh per room, with prices allegedly inflated almost fivefold to defraud the public.

[ Google AI Analysis: You can click here to watch the Google AI Analysis of Delhi School Construction Scam ]

The issue gained traction when Delhi Lt. Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena ordered a probe into the classroom construction projects, citing alleged gross financial irregularities and significant corruption. An audit by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) reportedly found substantial deviations from awarded amounts, leading to cost escalation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the President of India have both granted approval for the prosecution of Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The prosecution sanction highlights the need to investigate the roles of the then ministers, including Sisodia who held portfolios for Education and Finance.

Separately, Sisodia is also embroiled in the Delhi liquor policy case. This case centres on accusations of irregularities in the formulation of the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22, alleging that loopholes were intentionally created to receive kickbacks.

The Home Ministry has granted approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Sisodia in a money laundering case connected to this policy, following a nod from Delhi LG VK Saxena to prosecute. Both Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal were arrested in connection with this case. Sisodia was arrested by the ED and CBI and walked out of jail in August 2024, 17 months after his arrest.

Despite these legal challenges, Manish Sisodia has issued statements asserting that the AAP and its leaders “will not bow down before BJP” and welcoming the lodging of cases against them.

The controversy surrounding Manish Sisodia’s Pathankot visit, therefore, occurs as he navigates serious legal processes, including approved prosecutions related to alleged corruption in key projects overseen during his time as minister.

By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.