Manish Sisodia
– Photo: ANI
Expansion
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha appeared in Rouse Avenue Court through video conferencing in the money laundering case related to the excise policy. The court extended the judicial custody of both the accused till July 25. The judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha ended, after which they were produced.
Manish Sisodia is lodged in Tihar Jail. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on 26 February 2023. At the same time, the ED arrested Sisodia on 9 March 2023 in a money laundering case related to the CBI FIR. On 28 February 2023, Sisodia resigned from the Delhi Cabinet. On the other hand, K Kavita was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15 from her residence in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
What is the alleged liquor policy scam?
Amidst the Corona period, the Aam Aadmi Party government of Delhi implemented the ‘Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22’. There were complaints of alleged irregularities in the implementation of this liquor policy, after which the Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI inquiry. With this, the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 came under question. However, the new liquor policy was later canceled amid allegations of irregularities in its making and its implementation.
How did the investigation begin?
The CBI registered an FIR in August 2022 against 15 accused in the case for alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in the new liquor policy. Later, the ED started investigating a case of money laundering under PMLA in connection with the case registered by the CBI.
ED and CBI are separately investigating the alleged scam in the new liquor policy of Delhi government. ED is investigating the allegations of money laundering in the making and implementation of the policy. At the same time, CBI’s investigation is focused on the alleged irregularities in the making of the policy.