The Delhi High Court in the case observed and has remanded former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader to judicial custody, in a case filed by Central Bureau of Investigation, wherein it is alleged the corruption in implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22.
The bench headed by Special Judge MK Nagpal in the case observed and has passed an the order after the CBI counsel said they are not seeking extension of his custody at present but might seek the remand of Sisodia again in the next 15 days.
The court stated that the application for judicial custody has been filed and it does not require the submissions of the police custody for the time being and may be sought later if required. The court remanded Sisodia to Judicial custody till March 20, with regards to the submissions made. The court also allowed the application filed by Sisodia’s for having spectacles, Bhagwat Gita, diary, and pen inside the jail. It has also been directed by the jail superintendent for considering the request of Sisodia’s of keeping him in vipaasana (meditation) cell.
However, Sisodia is being allowed for having his medicines as being prescribed in the MLC conducted by CBI officials.
Accordingly, the court listed the Sisodia’s bail application to be next heard on March 10.
On February 26, the Sisodia was being arrested after an interrogation of more than 8 hours. Sisodia was also named as an accused in the FIR. It being the case of the probe agency that there were alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22.
It has also been alleged by the CBI that Sisodia was being arrested as he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with the evidence.
However, the CBI FIR states that Sisodia and others were instrumental in “recommending and for taking the decisions,” with regards to the excise policy 2021-22 “without approval of competent authority with an intention for extending undue favours to the licensee post tender.