Manish Sisodia
The ED stated repeatedly that Sisodia was involved in the excise policy that favored private liquor companies.
According to the agency, Sisodia swapped multiple phones, none of which were bought in his name.
Manish Sisodia’s ED custody was extended by five more days by the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday after the agency claimed it needed to question the AAP leader more thoroughly over the money laundering aspect of the liquor policy case.
The Court authorized Manish Sisodia to sign checks of Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000 for his family’s expenses and for his wife’s medical costs, respectively.
“Manish Sisodia, a former deputy chief minister of Delhi, was unable to respond when asked by the ED why he switched phones so frequently”, the ED informed the court.
The ED told the court that while in ED custody, he was confronted with three people, including an IAS officer and the excise commissioner, as Sisodia was brought before the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his 7-day ED custody in the money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy matter.
The ED told the court that Sisodia needed to be confronted again as it sought additional remand. He was unable to locate his phone. Sisodia’s lawyer opposed the request to extend the remand on the basis of the phone, claiming that the CBI also mentioned this point in their remand. Sisodia’s lawyer argued that the ED must say something else to justify their continued detention.
Sisodia’s lawyer stated that Sisodia’s computer had previously been seized and investigated by another agency. Another agency is now attempting to repeat the entire process.
“They must show the proceeds of the crime and how I am involved in all of this. What have you done if they investigate for 7 months and then come to court seeking my remand?”, Sisodia’s lawyer stated.
The ED must tell the court what they have done in terms of the proceeds of the crime, according to Sisodia’s lawyer, adding that they must show the proceeds of the crime rather than the crime itself because the CBI has already completed the process.
“Are they a CBI proxy agency?”, said Sisodia’s attorney.
The CBI arrested Manish Sisodia in connection with the liquor policy on February 26, 2023. Later, the ED apprehended him and took him into custody in connection with the money laundering aspect of the same case.
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