The Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused AAP leader Manish Sisodia and other defendants of obstructing the trial in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy “scam” before a Delhi court on Saturday.
Opposing Mr. Sisodia’s bail plea before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, the agency alleged that he was involved in drafting the policy and received advance kickbacks of ₹100 crore along with other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members.
Mr. Sisodia sought relief from the court, citing delays in commencing the trial. However, the ED contended that the delays were caused by the accused, not the prosecution.
“The delay in the trial of the case has not been caused by the prosecution but by the accused persons. Concerted efforts were made on the part of the accused persons, including Sisodia, to delay the trial in the case,” the ED informed the court in response to his second bail plea.
The judge extended Mr. Sisodia’s judicial remand until April 18 after his appearance in court upon the expiry of his custody.
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During the proceedings, Mr. Sisodia’s co-accused and party colleague, Sanjay Singh, who was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court, also appeared before the court.
The ED disclosed that a total of 95 applications seeking similar relief have been filed by the accused, with six of them by Mr. Sisodia. It added that the accused filed frivolous applications, resulting in costs imposed by the predecessor judge.
Further arguments will be heard by the judge on April 10.
Both the CBI and the ED have alleged irregularities in modifying the Delhi Excise Policy, including undue favors to license holders, waiver or reduction of license fees, and extension of licenses without proper authorization. The probe agencies claim that the beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their accounts to evade detection.
Mr. Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in the “scam.” The ED arrested Sisodia in a money-laundering case linked to the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
