The Rouse Avenue Court has ruled to prolong the judicial custody of former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia until May 8 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor scam. Alongside this decision, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been instructed to submit its response by 12 noon on May 8.
During the proceedings on April 26, the court deliberated on the money laundering case associated with the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. It opted to extend the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia, Vijay Nair, and other defendants until May 8. Sisodia is currently detained in Tihar jail following his arrest by the ED in connection with the money laundering case.
The judge has directed the Enforcement Directorate to clarify the timeframe required for digitizing the documents pertaining to the charge sheet and has demanded a report on this matter. Special public prosecutors NK Matta and Simon Benjamin, representing the ED, alleged that the accused were attempting to stall the proceedings and were not cooperating to expedite the trial. Defense lawyers countered by stating that they were facing obstacles in thoroughly examining the documents and requested more time.
In response, ED’s lawyer Matta expressed readiness to provide a comprehensive list of all documents within a week and highlighted the availability of resources, including over two hundred digital devices and a conference room, for the convenience of the defense lawyers. The judge urged the defense not to delay the proceedings and suggested extending the time allotted for document inspection.
Previously, the court remanded accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader K. Kavita to judicial custody until May 7. The ED has alleged that Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party is the primary beneficiary of the proceeds of crime in the excise scam case. Both the ED and CBI have accused irregularities in the revision of the excise policy, including extending undue benefits to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending L-1 licenses without proper approval.
