Delhi excise policy case: CBI questions Manish Sisodia; AAP leaders, supporters detained for protesting

New Delhi: Several AAP leaders, including MP Sanjay Singh, were detained today after a massive protest by them against the questioning of Manish Sisodia by the CBI in the liquor policy case. Around 100 leaders and workers were detained from outside the CBI office, they will be released soon, a Delhi Police official said,

Dramatic visuals showed the leaders being stuffed into a bus by the police. Several women workers, while being taken to the bus, alleged the police "misbehaved" with them.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh was detained along with other protesters or unlawfully protesting at the CGO complex, where large gatherings are banned, a senior police officer said.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi earlier in the day predicted his arrest as part of what he called a BJP "plan" to stop him from campaigning for the upcoming Gujarat election. He also took out a roadshow in an open-roof SUV on his way to the CBI office and made many stops, including at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Raj Ghat, and addressed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers.

Sisodia, 50, left home after a "tilak" ritual, accompanied by AAP leaders like party MP Sanjay Singh and MLAs Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj. He also shared a video of his mother blessing him.

The CBI has prepared a list of questions and will ask them in "several phases", sources say. The evidence found so far, and statements of others accused in the "liquor scam" will be placed before the Deputy Chief Minister, they say.

Backing his deputy, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged the case against him was "completely fake". He also tweeted a cartoon depicting Mr Sisodia in a heroic avatar. The picture shows him holding a shield named "Delhi education model" while helping a girl study even as arrows named ED and CBI rain on him.

Sisodia, hours before his questioning, attacked the BJP in a series of tweets. "The BJP is scared because it knows it's losing Gujarat... Their purpose is to stop me from going to Gujarat," he tweeted.

Large gatherings were banned around his house to stop AAP workers gathering there and a heavy police contingent was seen at the spot.

Mr Kejriwal, Mr Sisodia and others in his party allege that the BJP is targeting them because of their campaign in Gujarat, where AAP has challenged the ruling party