A Delhi court has decided to extend the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in connection with the excise policy case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The extension spans an additional 19 days, as ruled by Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court. Earlier, on February 5, the court had already extended Sisodia's judicial custody and allowed him to visit his unwell wife once a week during this period.
Previously, on February 12, Sisodia had been granted a three-day interim bail to attend his niece's wedding ceremony.
During the court proceedings, the judge had expressed concerns over the incomplete disclosure of the investigation's status by the CBI. Consequently, the judge had instructed the CBI to provide a detailed status report on the case by the next hearing date. The central agency had submitted a report stating that the investigation was ongoing and at a critical stage, particularly concerning the 16 individuals who had been charge-sheeted. However, the defence counsel raised objections, citing incomplete status reports and the recent receipt of translated documents requiring scrutiny. Acknowledging the complexity of the case, the court directed the CBI to equip the defence counsel with the necessary software for efficient access to the extensive case files.
During the recent court session, counsels representing various accused individuals voiced concerns about the accessibility of certain documents provided by the CBI, as they were unable to open them on their computers. Seeking resolution, they requested the court's intervention. In response, the court granted them one week to directly visit the CBI office and review the documents in question.
In the midst of these developments, the CBI presented a status report to the court, outlining the progress of the investigation. Notably, the report was submitted in a sealed cover.
The alleged excise policy scam is currently under investigation by both the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI.
In another related matter, the court deferred its decision on whether to entertain Sisodia's regular bail plea in the excise policy case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate. This decision was made in light of Sisodia's pending curative petition before the Supreme Court. The judge, having reserved the order on January 17, announced that the matter will be revisited on March 2, coinciding with the expiration of the judicial custody of AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Sisodia.
During the previous hearing, the Enforcement Directorate argued against entertaining Sisodia's regular bail application while his curative petition remains pending before the apex court.
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