New evidence against Manish Sisodia in excise scam case: ED claims in court

The ED Wednesday told a Delhi court the investigation in the money laundering probe against AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the alleged excise scam is at a crucial stage and it has found fresh evidence of his complicityThe agency made the submissions while seeking time to argue on the bail application of the former Delhi deputy chief ministerSpecial Judge M K Nagpal adjourned for April 12 the arguments on the applicationThe judge also extended till April 17 the judicial custody of Sisodia after he was produced before the court and the agency sought an extension of custodyDuring the arguments the Enforcement Directorate counsel said the agency was in process of gathering fresh evidence that has come to lightWe need timerequesting court to grant time to advance arguments the counsel said after a brief argumentAlso read Manish Sisodia booked for political snooping nowThe counsel appearing for Sisodia meanwhile claimed before the court the ED does not have evidence to prove the charge that he had indulged in money launderingTheres no basis for the charge Theyve probed and examined everything raided my residence etc but found nothing The excise policy was approved by various authorities concerned including the LG Now youre blaming Sisodia solely Also this the probe is not under the preview of the ED the counsel saidHe asserted the central antimoney laundering agency cannot make the vague allegation that he will tamper with evidence if enlarged on bailYou never claimed any effort by me to influence contact threaten witnesses when I was out and holding excise portfolio Now Im not even holding any portfolio he saidThe counsel claimed not a single penny came to the bank accounts of Sisodia or his family membersThere is nothing connecting me Sisodia to the proceeds of crime Neither there are any allegations nor any material to show that I received the money hid it or spent it the counsel assertedHe said Sisodia was not the only person responsible for formulating the excise policy which was approved at different levelsA committee was formed certain recommendations were given Cabinet decided to constitute a GoM group of ministers This GoM has a duty to recommend the changes It is then the duty of the excise department to draft the policy GoM does not draft the policy The policy went to several departments Everyone accepted it It also went to the LG he saidHe claimed after the policy was implemented the government received the highest revenue from the excise department in the last 10 yearsThe revenues are historic and there is no loss to the exchequer he addedThe counsel claimed there was no material to show coaccused Vijay Nair was Sisodias representative for committing the crime of money laundering as has been alleged by the probe agencyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever