After 7-Days CBI Custody, Delhi Court Sends Aam Aadmi Party Leader Manish Sisodia To Judicial Custody Till March 20

A Delhi Court on Monday remanded Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia to judicial custody in the case filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging corruption in implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22.

Special Judge MK Nagpal passed the order after the CBI counsel said they are not seeking extension of his custody at present but might seek his remand again in the next 15 days. 

"Application for judicial custody has been filed. The submission is police custody is not required for time being and may be sought later if required. In view of the submission made, [Sisodia] is remanded to Judicial custody till March 20," said the court.

Meanwhile, the court allowed Sisodia’s application for having spectacles, Bhagwat Gita, diary and pen inside jail. The jail superintendent has also been directed to consider Sisodia’s request of keeping him in vipaasana (meditation) cell.

Sisodia has also been allowed to have his medicines as prescribed in the MLC conducted by CBI officials.

Sisodia's bail application is listed for hearing on March 10.

On February 27, the trial court had remanded Sisodia to CBI's custody for five days. He was again sent to CBI custody for two more days on Saturday last week.

Sisodia was arrested on February 26 after an interrogation of more than 8 hours. He was named as an accused in the FIR. It is the case of the probe agency that there were alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22.

The CBI alleged that Sisodia was arrested as he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence.

CBI had commenced a second round of questioning. Sisodia was earlier questioned on October 17 last year. Chargesheet in the matter was filed on November 25, 2022.

The CBI FIR states that Sisodia and others were instrumental in “recommending and taking decisions” regarding the excise policy 2021-22 “without approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensee post tender.”