Manish Sisodia, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, has requested the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to postpone his questioning in the Delhi liquor policy case. The leader said that he is currently working on the Delhi budget and asked the agency to defer his questioning by at least a week.

“I will visit the CBI office by the end of February, whenever they will call me. Being the Finance Minister of Delhi, preparing the budget is very important, so I have requested to shift the date. I have always cooperated with these agencies,” Mr Sisodia said.

He also said that this is a crucial time for the Delhi budget.

The CBI is unlikely to accept Mr Sisodia’s request for deferment, according to sources in the agency.

Mr Sisodia, the deputy of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and others face corruption allegations in bringing a new liquor sale policy in the national capital. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered the CBI probe last year.

Mr Sisodia, who also held the charge of the excise department, was first questioned by CBI on October 17 last year and his house as well as bank lockers were also searched in connection with the case.