Delhi Excise Policy: Court Extends Judicial Custody of Manish Sisodia till July 15

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday extended the judicial custody of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia until July 15 in a CBI case linked to the alleged excise policy scam case.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended his judicial custody till July 15.

Appearing for Sisodia, Advocates Vivek Jain, Rajat Bhardwaj and Nitesh Rana contended that the central probe agency was misleading the court and had inaccurately stated in March that the investigation was complete. They also noted that during an earlier Supreme Court hearing in June, the CBI had indicated that the investigation would conclude by July 3.

The CBI, in response, stated that new facts had emerged since June and that they would update the Supreme Court accordingly.

Sisodia was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, in connection with the “scam,” while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the former deputy chief minister on March 9, 2023, in a money laundering case linked to the CBI FIR.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS Leader K Kavitha were also arrested in connection with the excise policy case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have accused Sisodia of involvement in irregularities during the modification of the Delhi Excise Policy, alleging undue favors to license holders, waiver or reduction of license fees, and extension of licenses without proper authorization.

The agencies further allege that the beneficiaries diverted illicit gains to the accused officials and falsified entries in their financial records to avoid detection.

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