The former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia told a Delhi court Saturday that he was subjected to several hours of CBI questioning, which was mental harassment, even as a Delhi court remanded him to two-days further CBI custody in a case related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy. Sisodia was produced before Special Judge MK Nagpal following the expiry of his 5-day CBI custody even as AAP workers staged a protest outside Rouse Avenue district court.
Special Judge Nagpal observed that “though the accused is found to have been extensively examined, questioned and confronted with his then Secretary and then Excise Commissioner of GNCTD on some vital aspects of the prosecution story, but his confrontation with two other material witnesses is yet to be done.”
After the court granted Sisodia’s custody till Monday, the judge asked him how he was doing. Sisodia, addressing the court for the first time since his arrest, said, “Every day from 8 am they keep asking the same questions… It is mental harassment. They don’t have anything in documents, only in statements.”
Sisodia also spoke about the court’s directive to ensure he is not subjected to third-degree measures during CBI questioning following apprehensions raised by his lawyers. “Last time my lawyer mentioned this word, they said third degree. They (CBI) respect us. But 8-10 hours sitting, same questions on repeat is third degree only. It is mental harassment.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, who appeared for Sisodia, said, “What is the difference between day 1 and today? Non-cooperation can’t be a ground for remand. ‘We will wait till he confesses’ cannot be a ground for remand.”
The CBI has alleged that Sisodia is “non-cooperative, completely evasive and not disclosing true facts”.
Senior advocate Mohit Mathur, who also appeared for Sisodia, said his wife’s medical condition should also be considered. “In this case, while considering all these things, my wife’s health condition is brushed aside. A man is not likely to run away, it has to be seen from that factor as well. What is it that you require me for? Harping one line, he is not cooperating, not disclosing true facts. What prevents them from saying the same thing again. What assurance they will get what they want in 72 hours?” Mathur said.