Kerala CM Writes to PM, Urges him to Dispel Perception That Sisodia was Arrested for Political Reasons

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the arrest of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia urging him to dispel the perception that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was being targeted for political reasons.

The CBI had arrested Sisodia on February 26 in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

Vijayan, in his letter, said the arrest of Sisodia has "lent further force to the argument" about certain actions of the central investigation agencies.

The Chief Minister said there was no incriminating evidence like cash seizure in case of Sisodia.

Vijayan said the AAP leader is an elected representative of the people and has been appearing before the investigating agencies in response to their summons.

"Unless the arrest was an imperative for preventing the impediment to the investigation, the desirable act would have been to avoid it. As per information coming out in public domain, nothing incriminating like cash seizure has taken place in the case of Sisodia. While law has to take its course, it is equally important that the widespread perception that Sisodia is being targeted for political reasons and need to be dispelled," Vijayan said in his letter.

The CPI(M) leader said any excessive actions on part of anyone concerned should be avoided as emphasis should be on the principle of cooperative federalism.

Vijayan, while refraining from commenting on the merits of the case under investigation, said the arrest of Sisodia has "lent further force to the argument" about actions taken by the probe agencies.

"It is the golden principle of natural justice that justice should not only be done, but seem to be done too," he pointed out.

The Chief Minister also expressed hope that guidance from the Prime Minister will go a long way in changing the present perception, which is reflected in the letter of the important political leaders including some CMs in this matter.

Sisodia is currently lodged in judicial custody till March 20.

Vijayan's letter comes two days after leaders of eight opposition parties, including Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, wrote a joint letter to the Prime minister alleging "blatant misuse of central agencies" against members of the opposition.

Thank You for Raising Voice Against 'Illegal' Arrests: Kejriwal

In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday thanked his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan for raising his voice against alleged misuse of central probe agencies against non-BJP leaders and the arrest of AAP's Manish Sisodia by the CBI.

Sharing Vijayan's letter, Kejriwal, who is the AAP's national convenor, tweeted, "Thank you Hon’ble CM Kerala Shri @pinarayivijayan ji for raising voice against illegal arrests of leaders across India."