“Documents Show Manish Sisodia’s ‘Neck-Deep Involvement’ In Delhi Excise Scam”: ED To SC

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday has challenged Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in the Supreme Court, asserting that it has substantial evidence proving his significant involvement in the alleged Delhi excise policy scandal.

Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, is seeking bail in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the scandal, arguing he has been detained for 17 months without trial.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, argued before Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan that the case is well-supported by evidence of Sisodia’s direct involvement, countering claims that the case is fabricated.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sisodia, highlighted the extensive evidence in the cases, which include 493 witnesses and 69,000 pages of documents from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED. Singhvi questioned the rationale for Sisodia’s continued detention, noting the trial has not yet started.

Raju responded by emphasizing that Sisodia’s involvement is deeply documented and that delays are due to the defense’s handling of the evidence, not the investigation. He also mentioned that the excise policy details do not directly pertain to criminality.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged role in the liquor policy case, and the ED followed with an arrest on March 9, 2023. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet two days after his initial arrest. The CBI and ED have separate cases concerning alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

During the hearing, Singhvi referred to a Supreme Court order from June 4, which allowed Sisodia to renew his bail plea after the final complaints were filed. Singhvi also cited an October 30 verdict where the court had previously denied bail but permitted Sisodia to apply again if circumstances changed or if the trial was unduly delayed.

Raju argued that Sisodia’s plea for bail revival is “not maintainable” and suggested the trial court should address any bail requests. He also claimed that ₹100 crore was sought as a bribe, with ₹45 crore traced so far.

Singhvi accused the ED of withholding key documents and underscored that the delays in the case were a concern previously noted by the Supreme Court.

The arguments were not concluded and will resume next week.

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