Delhi Court dismisses Sisodia’s bail application

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) A Delhi Special Court on Friday dismissed the bail application of AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

Special Judge MK Nagpal after hearing both the prosecution and the defence rejected the bail prayer. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel opposed the bail application by alleging that there is a conspiracy in the framing of the Delhi Excise Policy to provide illegal benefits to certain people. It is alleged that the framing of a new liquor policy for Delhi has resulted in extraordinary profits for wholesalers.

Counsel for Sisodia submitted in his bail application that not a single penny has been traced from Sisodia or his family account. He submitted that Sisodia has always cooperated with the investigating agency and no incriminating material has been unearthed against him during the searches.

He argued that no offence under section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been made out against Sisodia and told the court that no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping him behind bar. So, Sisodia should be granted bail.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sisodia on February 26 after questioning him on various aspects of the Excise Policy for 2021-22. After that, the ED got his custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. According to the investigating agency the Excise Policy suffered from irregularities in its formulation and implementation.