On March 4, the Rouse Avenue Court extended the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detention of former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia in a case involving alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of GNCTD’s excise policy.
Special Judge MK Nagpal extended Manish Sisodia’s detention to the CBI for two more days. Meanwhile, the Court informed the CBI of Manish Sisodia’s bail application and scheduled the case for March 10, 2023.
While seeking further remand of Manish Sisodia, CBI counsel stated, “He’s still non-cooperative, and we need his further custody to confront him with two persons.”
“A lot of time went in his medicals. One whole day went in the petition he filed in the Supreme Court, which was dismissed,” CBI told the Court.
Senior Advocate Dayan Krishan appeared for Manish Sisodia, opposed the CBI application seeking an extension of remand and submitted that “What is the difference between what was on day one and today? Raids were conducted at my house and my office too… keeping me in CBI custody would produce a document, is this logical???”
Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur also appeared for Sisodia and said that my wife’s medical condition is being considered while all this is happening. “The man who is not going to run away has to be seen that way, too,” he said.
At the hearing, Manish Sisodia said in court that CBI officers are taking care of him, treating him politely, and providing everything without employing the third degree. “But they are making me sit so long, 9-10 hours daily and asking the same questions again and again… it is not less not mental harassment,” he said. On that, Court directed CBI not to ask repetitive questions.
Former Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in his bail petition in a trial court, stated that no fruitful purpose would be served to keep him in custody as all the recoveries have already been made.
Sisodia further indicated that he had joined the probe as and when the Central Bureau of Investigation requested it (CBI). In this case, the bail for the other suspects has already been granted. Sisodia said he occupies the crucial constitutional position of Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and has strong roots in the community.
Sisodia was recently arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD.
Rouse Avenue Court, earlier, while sending Sisodia to CBI remand, directed that the interrogation of the accused during the remand period shall be conducted at some place having CCTV coverage in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the CBI shall preserve the said footage.
Sisodia was arrested on February 26 in an ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD.
When remanding Sisodia to the CBI, the trial court noted that the accused had previously participated in the investigation of this matter on two occasions. Yet, it has been noticed that he failed to answer most of the questions he posed throughout his examination and questioning. As a result, he has failed to credibly explain the damning material that has appeared against him in the latest probe.
Indeed, he cannot be expected to make self-incriminating statements. Still, the interests of justice and a fair investigation require that he come up with some legitimate answers to the questions being put to him by the Investigation officer, said the court.
