The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday clarified that it had not yet issued a Look Out Circular against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other accused in the excise policy scam case. The CBI officials said they are still in the process of scrutinising the documents.
Earlier in the day, Sisodia had claimed that the central agency had issued an LOC against him. He termed the move a “drama” and said the agency had found nothing during a raid at his residence on Friday.
News agency PTI quoted the CBI officials as saying that the agency had not felt the need to issue an LOC against public servants so far because they cannot leave the country without intimating the government.
Sisodia is among 15 individuals and entities named in an FIR filed in connection with the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government's Excise Policy 2021-22.
The Look Out Circular is issued to ensure that a person wanted by police or any other agency in a particular case does not leave the country. The circular is mostly used at immigration checkpoints at international airports and seaports.
The CBI on Friday searched 31 locations including Sisodia's residence in connection with the case.
The agency claims that Sameer Mahendru, the owner of Indospirits, who was one of the liquor traders actively involved in alleged irregularities, made payments worth crores of rupees to a few "close associates" of Sisodia.
The FIR further alleges that these “close associates” of Sisodia were actively involved in managing and diverting the undue pecuniary advantage collected from liquor licensees to the accused public servants.
