Delhi excise policy case: Court dismisses bail plea of Manish Sisodia
The judge had reserved the order after hearing arguments on Sisodia’s plea seeking relief claiming that his custody was no longer required for investigation
A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of former Delhi deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in the money laundering case related to the excise policy.
Special judge MK Nagpal dismissed the bail application moved by Sisodia in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging his involvement in the generation, dissemination, and transfer of the proceeds of crimes.
Sisodia was arrested by the ED on March 9 after being interrogated by the agency in Tihar Jail.
He was sent to seven days ED custody on March 10 which was later extended for a period of five days.
He was thereafter sent to Tihar Jail on March 22.
Sisodia had moved the bail application in the money laundering case on March 21.
Also Read: Probe into Sisodia’s role complete, CBI tells Delhi court
During the hearings, Sisodia had argued that no offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is made out as neither are there any allegations nor is there any material evidence to show that Sisodia acquired, concealed, or used the proceeds of crime.
Advocates Dayan Krishnan and Vivek Jain, appearing for Sisodia, had also submitted that the allegations made out by ED were regarding the formation of policy instead of proceeds of crimes.
They had also questioned the validity of the statements given by the officials as they were under the control of lieutenant governor (LG).
They had also refuted the arguments regarding the destruction of evidence and tampering of witnesses.
On the other hand, ED had alleged that Sisodia is one of the key conspirators in the formulation and implementation of the policy and also one of the key persons involved in creating the ecosystem for the creation, dissemination, and transfer of the proceeds of crime.
Advocate Zoheb Hossain, appearing for ED, also refuted the arguments regarding the officials, whose statements were recorded, being under the influence of L-G.
The agency also pointed out that there have been variations from the recommendations given by the Expert Committee without any consultation with the group of ministers (GoM).
ED also submitted that the federal agency has evidence to show that Sisodia also got emails planted regarding the GoM report showing fake public approval to the policy.
The city court earlier on March 31 dismissed the bail application moved by Sisodia in the CBI case on the ground that releasing him at this stage could hamper the ongoing investigation.
The court had after hearing the submissions of both the parties reserved the orders on the bail application on April 18.
The Delhi government’s 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalize the city’s flagging liquor business.
It was launched to replace a sales-volume based regime with a license fee-based one for traders, and promised swankier stores, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience.
The policy also introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor, a first for Delhi.
The plan, however, ended abruptly, with L-G VK Saxena recommending a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the regime.