In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has given permission to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia to visit his unwell wife once a week while he remains in custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
This decision came following Sisodia's plea, challenging the denial of bail by a trial court in the excise policy case. The matter has been postponed until May 8, 2024.
Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, took the matter to court after his bail petitions were rejected by the Rouse Avenue Court on April 30. The judge stated that Sisodia's repeated applications for bail, some of which were deemed frivolous, were contributing to unnecessary delays in the case proceedings.
The charges against Sisodia and other implicated individuals stem from alleged irregularities in the modification of the excise policy. Authorities claim that undue benefits were given to license holders, fees were waived or reduced without proper authorization, and false entries were made to conceal these actions.
Sisodia has been in custody since February 26, 2023, first arrested by the CBI and subsequently by the ED. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS Leader K Kavitha were also detained in connection with the same case.
According to investigations, approximately Rs 144.36 crore was allegedly lost to the state exchequer due to these irregularities, including the refund of earnest money deposits and waivers on license fees without legal provisions, supposedly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The court will continue to review the case as it progresses, ensuring fair proceedings while considering the complexities involved.
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