New Delhi, 17 April (Hindustan Times). Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by 14 days in a money laundering case related to the Delhi Excise scam. Special Judge MK Nagpal gave this order.
Sisodia’s judicial custody was ending today, after which he was produced in the court. On April 5, the court sent Sisodia to judicial custody till date.
Sisodia’s bail plea is to be heard tomorrow i.e. on April 18.
On April 12, the ED had opposed Sisodia’s bail plea saying that Sisodia was the head of the group of ministers and had all the information about the cabinet. He was instrumental in the change of excise policy. The ED had said that the bribe was taken in exchange for favors in the policy.
The ED had said that there was no discussion on license fee and profit margin in the meeting of the Group of Ministers. ED said that Manish Sisodia had 18 portfolios. At that time he used to meet people. Some people used to take care of his wife, in such a situation, Manish Sisodia cannot cite his wife’s health for bail.
During the hearing on the bail plea, it was said on behalf of Sisodia that no case of money laundering is made out against Sisodia. Sisodia’s lawyer said that the entire ED case is based on the CBI case only. He said that Sisodia did not commit any offense under Section 3 of the Money Laundering Act. The court has to see whether there is any violation under section 3.
It was said on behalf of Manish Sisodia that other agencies are already probing the matter. Sisodia’s counsel said there was no evidence to suggest that Sisodia had committed or was involved in the offense of money laundering. Not a single penny of the proceeds of the alleged crime entered the bank account of Sisodia or any of his family members. It has nothing to do with the crime of money laundering. Sisodia’s counsel said that the officers of the probe agency are making allegations against Sisodia as per their convenience. A complaint has been made against Sisodia by the Lieutenant Governor who controls these officers.
Sisodia’s counsel said the cabinet formed a group of ministers. Group of Ministers is there in all the states and also in the central government. The Group of Ministers suggests policy changes based on the data. Based on this, the Excise Department drafts the policy. The Group of Ministers does not draft the policy.
In this case, Manish Sisodia was arrested from Tihar Jail on March 9 after questioning. Earlier on February 26, CBI had arrested Sisodia.
