The Delhi High Court Today (May 8th) granted more time to the ED and the CBI to file their replies to former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s pleas seeking bail in the corruption and money-laundering cases lodged by the agencies in relation to the alleged excise policy scam.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today granted additional time for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file their responses to the bail pleas of Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. This decision reflects the ongoing complexity and depth of the legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile case.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, presiding over the case, had initially called upon the agencies to respond by May 3. However, during a subsequent hearing, representatives for both the ED and CBI requested extensions, citing the need for more time due to ongoing investigations and preparations related to related legal activities.
The lawyers representing the agencies’ request faced opposition from Sisodia’s counsel, who emphasized his incarceration and the previous assurance by the ED and the CBI to the Supreme Court regarding the completion of the trial within six months.
The court’s order detailed the agencies’ requests:
“Respondents seek more time to file a reply. It is stated that the ED is in the process of filing another prosecution complaint in relation to a co-accused in the case.”
Recognizing the significance of the matter and the complexity of the investigations, the judge granted an extension of four more days, mandating that the responses be filed by the following Monday.
“Despite the aforementioned, the accused remains in custody, and an extension of four days is granted to the respondents to submit their replies. The response must be placed on court record by Monday, and an advance copy must also be provided to the opposing party by that day,”
–the court further declared, scheduling the matter for a hearing on May 14.
During the hearing, the counsel for the ED explained the intensive nature of the ongoing investigations, noting that the investigating officer is “neck-deep” in the case, further compounded by preparations to file a supplementary prosecution complaint (charge sheet). The CBI’s legal representation echoed this sentiment, requesting a similar extension to prepare their comprehensive response.
This case stems from allegations surrounding the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. Both agencies assert that irregularities during the policy’s formulation and execution led to undue advantages for license holders and resulted in significant financial discrepancies. According to the investigations, “illegal” gains were allegedly diverted to certain officials, and deceptive entries were made in books of accounts to avoid detection.
Manish Sisodia, a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has faced significant legal challenges due to these allegations. He was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and subsequently by the ED on March 9, 2023. His bail pleas have been a contentious issue, with a special judge previously denying bail on the grounds that the circumstances were not conducive for such relief.
The ongoing legal battle not only highlights the intricate legal frameworks involved in dealing with allegations of corruption but also underscores the intense scrutiny public officials face in their professional conduct. As the court awaits the detailed responses from the ED and CBI, the political and legal communities keenly observe the developments, which could have far-reaching implications on governance and law enforcement in India.
The matter is set for a hearing on May 14, where further deliberations on Sisodia’s bail plea will take place, potentially setting a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
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