Excise policy scam: Sisodia's bail plea in CBI case dismissed

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail plea by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

CBI Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court had reserved his order on the matter on March 24.

The court had, on March 20, sent him to judicial custody till April 3.

During the last hearing, one of Sisodia's counsel had said that nothing exceptional was stated by the CBI which would warrant continued custody.

"Nothing on record to show that Sisodia will be threatening the witnesses," counsel said, arguing that Sisodia has cooperated with the CBI investigation and none of the searches have revealed any incriminating material against him.

"It goes without doubt that Manish Sisodia has deep roots in society. He has appeared every time he was called before the CBI. I am a public servant. There have been two public servants in this case, allegations far graver than mine. But they are sent without arrest.

"There is no real substantial evidence of tampering with witness or threatening witnesses, etc. I request you to kindly grant me bail," counsel added.

Appearing for the CBI, Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh had said: "It's not only the mobile phones, files were also destroyed. I am very serious that destruction of evidence was a constant practice."

The CBI had opposed Sisodia's bail plea, saying that this will compromise and scuttle their investigation.

Sisodia on Tuesday also moved a bail plea in a court in the same case being being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court had issued notice to the central agency.

After the CBI arrested the AAP leader on February 26, the ED also arrested him in the same case on March 9.

During the last hearing in the ED case, the court was apprised by the ED that important details have come up during Sisodia's custody and he had to confront with other accused persons.

The probe agency had informed the court that voluminous data from the former Deputy Chief Minister's email and mobile is also being forensically analysed.