Manish Sisodia and others from AAP are accused of conniving to grant liquor licenses to certain traders in exchange for bribes. A day after he moved a bail plea, he was remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
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Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case
The Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi on Wednesday sent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia to judicial custody till April 5, 2024, in relation to the probe by the Enforcement Directorate for money laundering in relation to the Delhi excise policy scam. He was sent to 14-day judicial custody by Special Judge M.K. Nagpal. Additionally, the special judge accepted his request to bring some spiritual and educational books with him.
Sisodia remanded after ED questioning
The Aam Aadmi Party leader, Manish Sisodia was produced in The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday after the expiry of his legal custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His custodial interrogation was completed by the ED prior to his production in the Delhi court. Manish Sisodia was arrested on March 9, 2024, on alleged money laundering charges by ED, and was kept in the agency’s custody for 13 days, up until Wednesday, March 22, 2024. The ED did not seek further custody and moved an application for judicial custody.
Sisodia has remained in custody since February 26
Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26, by the Central Bureau of Investigation, and was remanded to judicial custody, in relation to the liquor policy case. On March 9, he was given over to ED custody for questioning for a week, which was extended for 5 days on March 17.
No Incriminating Material Found in CBI Searches: Sisodia’s Lawyers
On Tuesday, The Rouse Avenue Court heard arguments over Manish Sisodia’s bail plea. Senior Counsels Dayan Krishnan and Mohit Mathur while representing Sisodia, argued that no incriminating material was found in the searches led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sisodia’s counsel also requested bail for the AAP leader, based on his wife’s medical condition.
“There is a risk of the accused, tampering with evidence”: CBI
While opposing this argument, the CBI argued that while the Former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi may not be a flight risk, setting him free would definitely involve a risk of tampering with the evidence. “A person is a saint until his irregularities and illegalities are discovered,” said Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, advocate DP Singh.
The CBI has accused Sisodia and certain other members of the Aam Aadmi Party of manipulating the then-applicable excise policy, to confer benefits on certain companies and traders, in order to receive bribes in exchange for the same. The arguments for the plea in relation to the CBI case have been wrapped up.
Probe by ED and CBI
The ED and the CBI initiated the probe in relation to the alleged excise policy scam after the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi (LG) V.K. Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into the case after a report by Delhi Chief Secretary, Shri Naresh Kumar. The allegations were that he had violated statutory provisions and tweaked the excise policy in exchange for personal benefit.
Application to bring a Set of Books
Sisodia, during the court proceedings on Wednesday, requested the Special Judge to allow him to bring a set of spiritual and education-related books including the Bhagwat Gita with him to judicial custody. The court accepted his request by allowing him to move an application in this regard.
Aam Aadmi Party’s Stand
The Aam Aadmi Party has remained firm in its statement that Manish Sisodia is innocent of levelled allegations. Sisodia himself stated in his defence that the policies had priorly been approved by the Lieutenant governor of Delhi. He further stated that the CBI is merely trying to pull up an elected government’s actions.
