In a big setback for former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Rouse Avenue Court extended his ED remand by five more days in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD. Earlier on March 10 Sisodia was sent to the Enforcement Directorate’s custody for seven days in the Delhi liquor policy case. The probe agency had sought at least 10 days to question the Aam Aadmi Party leader over alleged money laundering in framing the excise policy, which was later scrapped.
Manish Sisodia’s ED Custody Extended | Key Points
- Manish Sisodia has been in jail since February 26, when he was arrested by the CBI over alleged irregularities linked to a new liquor policy.
- The Court allows Manish Sisodia to sign cheques for his family’s expenses and his wife’s medical expenses of Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively.
- During the hearing, the ED reportedly informed the court that it has summoned officers and wants to interrogate them with Sisodia in custody to follow where the money trail in the Delhi liquor policy case leads to. The ED said the proceeds of the crime are worth at least Rs 292 crore.
- Hitting back at ED, Sisodia, in the court questioned what the probe agency had done till now.
- “I am opposing the extension of custody because the ED is carrying out the CBI’s investigation. ED can only probe proceeds of crime, not the crime,” Sisodia argued, adding that it was the CBI’s job.
- On the other hand, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as the accused number one in the snooping case.
- Apart from Sisodia, the CBI has booked Sukesh Kumar Jain (IRS-1992), the then Secretary Vigilance; Rakesh Kumar Sinha (Retired DIG, CISF), working as Special Advisor to the CM; Pradeep Kumar Punj (Retired Jt. Deputy Director, IB); Satish Khetrapal (Retired Assistant Commandant, CISF); Gopal Mohan, Advisor Anti-corruption to the Chief Minister and others.
