Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam, is to be produced before the Rouse Avenue District Court today (March 4) after the expiry of his custodial remand. The case will come up for hearing at 2 pm.
It is expected that the CBI will press for further custodial remand of Sisodia. Sources also claimed that the former Aam Aadmi Party Minister was still evasive and was not cooperating. “The central probe agency seized a computer from Sisodia’s office in January. However, much of the files and other data stood deleted. The computer was sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The FSL has retrieved the entire set of deleted files and this is what the case now rests on,” shared insiders familiar with the matter.
Sisodia was also confronted with the statement from an IAS official, who turned approver against him and got his statement recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC. A day after his arrest, Sisodia resigned from his post. Satyendar Jain, who is currently in jail and was holding the Delhi Health Minister’s post also resigned along with him.
The CBI has alleged in the remand paper that Sisodia played a crucial role in the Delhi excise policy scam.
“The report of the expert committee in connection with excise policy was changed by Sisodia only to benefit a few liquor businessmen. This was done through accused Vijay Nair. A total collection of Rs 100 crore was netted from South Group, which in turn is controlled by a South India-based liquor businessmen and politician. They were all beneficiaries of the policy.”
“Payment of Rs 100 crore was done through hawala channel, which we have traced. We have learnt that between September and October 2021, Sisodia changed around 14 cellphones and four SIM cards. The purpose of changing the cell phone was nothing but to destroy the evidence. Sisodia’s secretary, Devender Sharma, provided all these mobile phones and we have his statement in this respect,” added the CBI source.
The CBI has already filed a charge-sheet against seven persons and they are all set to file a supplementary charge-sheet in the case.
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