Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s former deputy chief minister, has had his judicial custody extended until May 31 in a money laundering case. The extension comes amid opposition from both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing efforts to delay the framing of charges. Sisodia’s counsel argued for bail, pointing to ongoing arrests in the case and suggesting a prolonged trial process.
NEW DELHI: Today (21st May): The judicial custody of Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s former deputy chief minister, has been extended by the Rouse Avenue Court until May 31 in the money laundering case.
Both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed granting any relief to Sisodia, arguing that the accused are making concerted efforts to delay the process of framing charges.
READ ALSO: BREAKING | Manish Sisodia Bail Plea | Court Allows Early Hearing
On May 14, the High court reserved its order on the pleas after hearing arguments from the AAP leader, CBI, and ED.
During the arguments, the ED contended that it would make the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) an accused in the next prosecution complaint (charge sheet) related to the money laundering case arising from the Delhi excise policy scam.
Earlier, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, until May 30 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The case, which involves the now-repealed Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22, was registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and named Manish Sisodia as one of the accused.
In a video conference hearing before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, Manish Sisodia’s custody was extended after the expiration of his previous judicial custody. The court also postponed the arguments on framing charges against Sisodia, following the directions issued by the Delhi High Court based on an appeal filed by one of the accused, Arun Pillai.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had previously arrested Manish Sisodia on March 9 last year in connection with the liquor policy case, which involves allegations of money laundering and corruption.
READ ALSO: BREAKING | Manish Sisodia’s Judicial Custody Extended till April 18
On May 17, the ED filed a charge sheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case, also naming AAP as an accused. While seeking bail for Sisodia, his counsel submitted that the ED and CBI are still arresting individuals in the money laundering and corruption case, indicating no early conclusion of the trial.
Background
Sisodia’s arrest by the CBI on February 26, 2023, followed by subsequent detention in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, has drawn attention to the legal proceedings surrounding the case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also arrested Sisodia on March 9 in connection with a money laundering case initiated by the CBI-led investigation.
Despite Sisodia’s bail pleas, the Supreme Court upheld the denial of relief, citing the tentative establishment of a money trail amounting to Rs 338 crore in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the Delhi liquor policy.
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