Delhi Excise Policy: Court Extends Judicial Custody of Manish Sisodia

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of incarcerated AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a corruption case pertaining to the purported Delhi excise scam.

Special Judge M K Nagpal extended Sisodia’s custody until March 22 after his presentation before the court upon the expiration of his remand.

The judge issued the directive following the CBI counsel’s assertion that the investigation was at a crucial juncture, expressing concerns that if granted bail, Sisodia might impede the ongoing probe or abscond.

Additionally, the judge deferred the decision on the accused’s plea objecting to the commencement of arguments on the framing of charges.

The court is anticipated to deliver the verdict on March 22.

Both the CBI and the ED have alleged that irregularities occurred during the modification of the Delhi Excise Policy 2020-21. Allegedly, undue favors were bestowed upon license holders, license fees were waived or reduced, and licenses were extended without the requisite approval from competent authorities.

According to the allegations, the beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and falsified entries in their financial records to evade detection.

Sisodia was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, over his purported involvement in the “scam.”

Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Sisodia in connection with a money-laundering case arising from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023, subsequent to his interrogation in Tihar Jail. Sisodia tendered his resignation from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.