Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been sent to judicial custody till March 20 in the Delhi excise policy scam case. Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 in a corruption case related to the now-scrapped excise policy.
The CBI counsel said that at this stage, the central agency is not seeking further CBI remand of Sisodia but might seek it in the next 15 days. CBI counsel added that searches were conducted, warrant taken, accused was produced before the court and the court is being informed about everything. On the other side, it’s being said that CBI is doing illegal act. Responding to this, the court said, “If they feel that something is illegal, they can challenge it.”
After the court’s order, Manish Sisodia’s lawyer sought court’s permission for him to carry a pair of spectacles, diary and pen and Gita during judicial custody period. The permission was granted. Rouse Avenue Court’s Special Judge MK Nagpal also allowed Sisodia to have medicines prescribed in his MLC conducted by CBI officials. As requested by Sisodia’s side, the court also directed Jail Superintendent to consider the request of keeping the accused in Vipaasana cell/Meditation cell.
On Saturday, a Delhi Court extended Manish Sisodia’s remand till Monday in the case filed by CBI alleging corruption relating to excise policy for the year 2021-22.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain his plea challenging his arrest. The Court had directed him to approach the Delhi High Court. Later, he moved Delhi’s Rouse Court for a regular bail which will be heard on March 10.
The apex court refused to interfere with the remand order. “Petitioner has efficacious alternate remedies under CRPC. We are not inclined to entertain at this stage,” the court said.
Why was Manish Sisodia arrested?
Sisodia was arrested under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 477 A (intent to defraud) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. On February 27, the Rouse Avenue Court remanded Manish Sisodia to CBI custody till March 4 in the Delhi excise policy scam case.
CBI had said that Sisodia was arrested after he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. The probe agency had sought a 5-day custody.
The CBI had previously called Manish Sisodia for questioning on February 19. He, however, sought a week’s time for making Delhi Budget. The CBI agreed to his request.
Manish Sisodia faces corruption allegations in bringing a new liquor sale policy in the national capital. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had ordered a CBI probe into the Delhi excise policy case last year. The Delhi government reverted to the old liquor policy and blamed the Lieutenant Governor for loss of revenue worth crores of rupees.
