In a recent court hearing, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, indicating that the ongoing investigation into the alleged excise policy scam might lead to the arrest of some high-profile individuals soon. The statement was made in a Delhi court on Monday, adding a new layer of intrigue to the already closely watched case.
“Our investigation is still underway, and it’s possible that some high-profile individuals may be arrested,” a CBI counsel stated, emphasizing the critical stage of their investigation. The agency refuted allegations of trial delays made by Sisodia, asserting that there has been no lapse in due process on their part.
The CBI has labeled Sisodia as the primary accused and the purported mastermind behind the scam, alleging that it was under his directive that other officials involved in the case had acted. They raised concerns about the potential for evidence tampering, citing instances where Sisodia allegedly destroyed phones on the day the case was registered.
In response, Sisodia’s legal team argued that the trial has been dragging on, noting that it has been 13 months since Sisodia’s incarceration and over four months since a Supreme Court order, yet the arguments on the chargesheet have not been completed. They contended that the excise policy in question did not result in any loss to the government exchequer, pointing out an increase in revenue instead.
Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Sisodia, highlighted the revenue increase from license fees as evidence that the policy was beneficial rather than harmful. “There is no loss to any private person either. Consumers benefited from the policy,” Mathur argued.
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Mathur also pointed out that despite Sisodia’s prolonged custody since February 26, 2023, the investigation agencies, including both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), have stated that their investigations concerning Sisodia are complete, with supplementary chargesheets and complaints already filed.
The defense emphasized that no significant progress has been made in the trial since Sisodia’s arrest, urging the court to consider the pace of the trial proceedings.
