The Delhi High Court on Friday has sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED regarding former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s pleas seeking bail in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged excise policy scam.
Order Challenged
A single bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sisodia’s pleas challenging a trial court’s order, by which his bail petitions were dismissed.
The high court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 8, 2024.
Sisodia, in an interim application, urged the court to continue the trial court’s order allowing him to meet his ailing wife once a week in custody, during the pendency of his pleas.
The counsel for the ED submitted that the probe agency has no objection if the trial court order is continued. Justice Sharma allowed the request.
Big Setback
On April 30, Rouse Avenue Court had dismissed Sisodia’s bail pleas in the corruption and money laundering cases lodged by the CBI and ED, respectively, in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.
Accusations
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. 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. Sisodia tendered his resignation from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
