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Delhi: The bail and remand of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was debated in the capital’s Rouse Avenue Court. Sisodia’s release from jail is finding it difficult at the moment. After CBI’s arrest, now the court has given his 7-day remand to ED. Now Sisodia will have to remain in ED custody till March 17. Manish Sisodia could not get public opinion today. The court has fixed March 21 as the next date for hearing the matter. At present, Sisodia will have to remain in CBI custody till March 21. Along with this, he will have to remain in ED custody till March 17. ED had demanded 10 days custody of Manish Sisodia from the court.
The ED has made several allegations against Manish Sisodia in the Excise Policy case. The ED told the court that Manish Sisodia had bought SIM cards and mobile phones in the name of other people. Sisodia implemented the policy as part of a conspiracy to give wholesale business to some private companies. The wholesale profit margin to private entities was fixed at 12%. The conspiracy was coordinated by South Group along with Vijay Nair and others. Members of the Southern Group were given control of a further 9 regions. Its meeting was held at Manish Sisodia’s house. The ED has pointed to Sisodia’s role in securing the L1 license to Indospirits Company.
The probe agency apprised the court about the meeting between Vijay Nair and K Kavitha (BRS MLC). The ED said that accused Buchibabu Gorantla disclosed the political understanding between then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha, who had also met Vijay Nair. Buchibabu is a former auditor of Kavitha and is currently out on bail.
Sisodia’s lawyer gave these arguments
In the court, Sisodia’s lawyer Dayan Krishnan said that the ED is saying this policy is wrong. This policy has been made by the elected government. It passes through many levels.
Sisodia’s lawyer said that the ED is talking about haste. I can give many such examples of haste. He said that demonetisation was also done in haste and the Supreme Court also termed it as constitutional.
Please tell that on Friday morning the court had ordered to present Sisodia till 2 pm. After 3 days of questioning, ED arrested Sisodia late evening on 9th March. After this, the investigating agency sought his 10-day custody from the court.
Earlier, CBI had arrested him on 26 February. Manish’s bail plea in this case will be heard at 2.30 pm in Rouse Avenue Court only. After 7 days of CBI remand, on March 6, the court sent Sisodia to Tihar Jail in judicial custody till March 20.
