ED Challenges Manish Sisodia's Bail Over Trial Delays in Excise Policy Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made allegations against AAP leader Manish Sisodia, accusing him and other defendants of causing delays in the trial of a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. This assertion was made in court on Saturday, where the ED also contested Sisodia's plea for bail. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja decided to extend Sisodia's judicial remand until April 18, following the expiration of his custody period.

According to the ED, Sisodia played a pivotal role in formulating the controversial policy and is alleged to have received advance kickbacks amounting to Rs 100 crore, along with other members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In seeking relief, Sisodia argued that the trial's commencement had been unduly delayed. However, the ED countered this claim by stating that the delay was not due to the prosecution but was instead caused by the actions of the accused.

The agency informed the court that concerted efforts had been made by the accused, including Sisodia, to stall the trial process. This was highlighted during the hearing of Sisodia's second bail application. Additionally, Sanjay Singh, a co-accused and party colleague who was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court, also made an appearance in court.

The ED revealed that a total of 95 applications had been submitted by the accused seeking similar reliefs, with six of these applications filed by Sisodia himself. The agency criticized these applications as frivolous and noted that costs had been imposed on such filings by a preceding judge. The court is scheduled to hear further arguments on April 10.

Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED have accused those involved in modifying the Delhi Excise Policy of committing irregularities. Allegations include extending undue favours to licence holders, waiving or reducing licence fees without proper authority approval, and making false entries in financial records to conceal illegal gains.

Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in this scam. Subsequently, on March 9, 2023, he was arrested by the ED in connection with a money-laundering case that stemmed from the initial CBI FIR. Following these developments, Sisodia resigned from his position in the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.