Manish Sisodia Questioned for Over Three Hours by Anti-Corruption Branch in Alleged Classroom Construction Scam; AAP Calls Case Politically Motivated
In a development that has reignited the debate over alleged misuse of investigative agencies and political vendettas, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was questioned for more than three hours on Friday by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with a high-profile corruption case concerning the construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools.
According to officials familiar with the matter, Sisodia appeared at the ACB office around 11 AM in compliance with the summons issued to him earlier.
He was examined in connection with allegations of financial irregularities in the construction of thousands of classrooms and semi-permanent school structures in the national capital — a project that was once hailed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a symbol of its education reform success.
Allegations of Massive Overpricing
The case stems from an FIR lodged on April 30, based on allegations that more than ₹2,000 crore may have been misused or siphoned off during the construction of over 12,000 classrooms in Delhi government schools.
Critics and opposition figures, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have alleged that the project saw inflated contracts, duplicate billing, and a lack of transparency in tendering processes.
Officials from the ACB stated that Sisodia was questioned in the presence of an independent Panch witness, and his statements were officially recorded about several points of inquiry. He exited the ACB headquarters at approximately 2:30 PM, after what authorities described as a “cooperative” examination session.
Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Madhur Verma confirmed these developments, stating:
“Manish Sisodia was examined in the presence of an independent witness, and his responses to various questions pertaining to the financial and administrative conduct of the classroom construction project were documented. The investigation is still ongoing.”
Political Battle Lines Drawn
Before his appearance, Sisodia, who was a key architect of the Delhi government’s much-praised education reforms under the AAP, addressed the media and firmly rejected the allegations.
He accused the BJP of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign to tarnish AAP’s image and divert public attention from more pressing issues like waterlogging, electricity shortages, and municipal mismanagement in the capital.
“These are baseless and politically driven charges. The BJP knows they have failed in governance, especially in Delhi. This case is nothing but a distraction tactic. They want to stop the AAP from talking about real issues,” Sisodia told reporters outside his residence.
He further emphasized that previous investigations into AAP leaders had yielded no substantial results.
“Nothing has been proven against us in any of the cases they’ve thrown at us over the years. I will go to the ACB and put all the facts before them. The truth will prevail,” he said.
A Case With Political Overtones
This is not the first time that the ACB has questioned AAP leaders in connection with this case. Satyendar Jain, another senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister who is already facing other legal battles, had appeared before the ACB for questioning earlier on June 6.
Sisodia, too, had earlier been summoned by the ACB to appear on June 9, but his legal representatives informed the agency that he was unable to attend due to “pre-scheduled commitments”. Explaining his absence, Sisodia quipped,
“The BJP only knows how to file FIRs. I work for the people. That’s my real job.”
He also pointed out that BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, one of the early voices raising allegations in this case, was already facing a defamation suit filed by Sisodia himself.
“I filed a defamation case against Manoj Tiwari for making false claims. He is now out on bail. This just shows how politically cooked-up these accusations are,” he added.
AAP Defends Leaders, Accuses BJP of “Weaponizing Institutions”
Backing her party colleague, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi Marlena held a press conference where she launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of turning India’s law enforcement institutions into political weapons.
“Over the past 10 years, agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax Department, and the Delhi Police have filed more than 200 fake cases against AAP leaders,” Atishi alleged. “Yet not a single rupee of corruption has ever been proven or recovered.”
She also referenced recent remarks made by the Supreme Court during the bail hearings of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, where the apex court had criticized the central agencies as “caged parrots,” implying that they function under political pressure rather than judicial independence.
The Road Ahead
The investigation into the classroom construction case is still underway, and the ACB has not ruled out further summons or arrests. Meanwhile, AAP leaders maintain that the probe is part of a broader campaign to stifle the opposition and discredit their governance model, especially ahead of key elections.
With Manish Sisodia already under judicial scrutiny in the Delhi excise policy case, this fresh round of questioning could further complicate matters for AAP’s top leadership. However, the party appears determined to fight back with political messaging and legal counteroffensives.
As the ACB continues to examine financial records and procedural approvals related to the alleged scam, one thing remains clear — the issue has now become a flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and AAP, with potential ramifications not only in Delhi but also at the national level.