The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of former deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, till April 17, in connection to ED’s money laundering case. This move comes after Sisodia’s bail plea was dismissed last week in the excise policy scam case being probed by the CBI.
CBI Arrests Manish Sisodia in Connection to Corruption Case
The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26 in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, following several rounds of questioning by the agency. Sisodia was the former excise minister.
Sisodia Prima Facie Architect of Conspiracy
According to special CBI judge M K Nagpal, Sisodia was “prima facie the architect” and played the “most important and vital role” in the criminal conspiracy relating to alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore, meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government. The judge said the release of the senior AAP leader, who is in custody since February 26 in the case, at the moment will “adversely affect the ongoing investigation”. The CBI had opposed the bail plea saying that though Sisodia was not a flight risk, he was “definitely” in a position to influence witnesses and destroy evidence.
CBI Moves Application Seeking Extension of Judicial Custody
The CBI has moved an application seeking an extension of judicial custody, saying the investigation is at a crucial stage. The agency claims that Sisodia played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy, and was deeply involved in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy to ensure the achievement of objectives of the said conspiracy.
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