A Delhi court on Wednesday extended arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till April 17 in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi’s excise policy case.
Sisodia, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 and by the Enforcement Directorate on March 9, was produced before the Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court.
Sisodia’s counsel told the court that no offence of money laundering under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 has been made out in the matter. “None of the ingredients are even prima facie made out against me (Sisodia),” his counsel submitted.
The counsel also submitted that there was no evidence or material to show that the former Delhi deputy chief minister concealed or acquired proceeds of the alleged corruption in the formation and implementation of the Delhi liquor policy for the year 2021-22.
“There is absolutely no evidence and that there is nothing connecting Sisodia to proceeds of crime,” he submitted in court, and further claimed that “not a single penny” has come to Sisodia’s bank account.
Meanwhile, advocate Zoheb Hossain, appearing for the ED, said that the financial crimes investigation agency was gathering fresh evidence.
“Crucial evidence is still being unearthed. And various people have confirmed that the wholesale profit margin was increased to 12 per cent to ensure kickbacks are received,” he told the court.
The special CBI court judge MK Nagpal then listed the matter for arguments on April 12 and extended his judicial custody in the ED case till April 17.
Earlier, the court had also rejected Sisodia’s bail plea in the CBI case.
While rejecting his bail plea, the court observed that his release “may adversely affect the ongoing investigation and will also seriously hamper the progress thereof”.
In his order, special CBI Judge observed that Sisodia – a senior leader of the AAP – had “played the most important and vital role” in the criminal conspiracy and “had been deeply involved in formulation as well as implementation of the excise policy to ensure achievement of objectives of the said (criminal) conspiracy.