Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court seeking bail in the excise policy case being probed by the CBI. Sisodia's bail plea is listed for hearing before Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma on Thursday.
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday told a Delhi court the investigation in the money laundering probe against Sisodia in the excise case is at a “crucial” stage and it has found fresh evidence of his complicity.
The agency made the submissions while seeking time to argue on the bail application of the former Delhi deputy chief minister. Special Judge M K Nagpal adjourned for April 12 the arguments on the application. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organised a protest on Wednesday outside the BJP headquarters seeking immediate release of former Sisodia. Amidst the protest, AAP councillors and workers raised slogans against the BJP-ruled central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
During the hearing on Wednesday, the judge also extended till April 17 the judicial custody of Sisodia after he was produced before the court and the agency sought an extension of custody. During the arguments, the Enforcement Directorate counsel said the agency was “in process of gathering fresh evidence that has come to light.” “We need time...Requesting court to grant time to advance arguments,” the counsel said after a brief argument. The counsel appearing for Sisodia, meanwhile, claimed before the court the ED does not have evidence to prove the charge that he had indulged in money laundering.
“There's no basis (for the charge). They've probed and examined everything, raided my residence etc. But found nothing. The (excise) policy was approved by various authorities concerned, including the LG. Now you're blaming Sisodia solely. Also, this (the probe) is not under the preview of the ED,” the counsel said.
He asserted the central anti-money laundering agency cannot make the vague allegation that he will tamper with evidence if enlarged on bail. “You never claimed any effort by me to influence, contact, threaten witnesses when I was out and holding (excise) portfolio. Now I'm not even holding any portfolio,” he said. The counsel claimed “not a single penny” came to the bank accounts of Sisodia or his family members.
“There is nothing connecting me (Sisodia) to the proceeds of crime. Neither there are any allegations nor any material to show that I received the money, hid it or spent it,” the counsel asserted. He said Sisodia was not the only person responsible for formulating the excise policy which was approved at different levels.
On March 31, a trial court had dismissed the senior AAP leader's bail petition, saying he was "prima facie the architect" and played the "most important and vital role" in the criminal conspiracy relating to alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government. While refusing to give relief to Sisodia, special CBI judge M K Nagpal had said he played the "most important and vital role in the above criminal conspiracy" and was deeply involved in formulation and implementation of the excise policy to ensure achievement of objectives of the said conspiracy.