NEW DELHI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said he has written to the CBI to probe the changing stands of former Lieutenant Governor  Anil Baijal on opening of liquor shops in unauthorised colonies in the capital city.

"Why was the decision changed 48 hours before the opening of all the booze stores in November of last year? The questions of who benefited from LG's choice and under what pressure did LG reverse it should be addressed" Sisodia alleged.. About 300–350 shops did not open  as a result of the former LG's abrupt change of heart. Sisodia claimed in a news conference that those making this decision ought to be looked into.

He said, "I have written to the CBI to investigate ex-change LG's of position on establishing of liquor shops in unapproved areas.

The new excise policy, which stated that there would be 849 shops in all of Delhi as there had previously been, was passed by the AAP government in May 2021, according to the deputy chief minister. However, the policy did not divide the liquor stores fairly, therefore we placed a special emphasis on their equitable distribution within each district, the man stated.

Sisodia claimed that when the material was provided to the former Lieutenant Governor Baijal, he made numerous suggestions that were taken into account. Later, the file was sent to him once more in June of last year, and he gave his approval. According to the new regulation, there would be 2-4 liquor stores in each ward if the stores were distributed equitably, he claimed.

He also said that when the file was sent to the former LG, he didn't raise any concerns about the opening of liquor stores in the prohibited region. However, he abruptly altered his position when the file for opening the stores was sent to him during the first week of November.

The stores were supposed to start on November 17, but on November 15 LG made it clear that DDA clearance was required before any stores could be opened in prohibited zones. He claimed that prior to this, LG had been allowing the opening of stores there.

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