Delhi excise policy manipulated for cartelisation in liquor trade: CBI

NEW DELHI: Opposing the bail plea of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday told Delhi High Court that the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 was manipulated to favour cartelisation and monopolisation in liquor trade in the national capital. Sisodia and businessman Vijay Nair were the main conspirators, the probe agency claimed.
CBI’s allegation came in response to Sisodia’s plea where he sought parity with other accused who have got the relief and claimed that the senior AAP leader was not in a position to influence the witnesses in the case or tamper with evidence.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing CBI, to explain to him the alleged scam for his understanding.
“It was a fraud, a scam whereby money was to be made. But they wanted to show they are transparent. Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of liquor were all connected. Rs 90-100 crore bribe was paid before the policy fructified. The involvement of Manish Sisodia was at the helm of all things,” the ASG maintained.
He also informed the high court that a chargesheet had been filed in the case before the trial court on April 25 and cognisance was yet to be taken.
The ASG claimed that no discussion was done on the policy and it was also not approved by the lieutenant governor of Delhi. He alleged that the new policy was implemented as it was not possible to generate kickbacks in the previous policy.
The high court asked the agency to file a short note on its submissions and listed the matter for further hearing on Friday.
CBI, in its written reply, claimed that the AAP leader was involved in commission of grave economic offences and was key to unravelling the modus operandi of the crime. While the agency contended that Sisodia is the “kingpin and architect of the conspiracy” and his influence and clout disentitle him to any parity with the co-accused enlarged on bail, the AAP leader urged the high court to grant him bail claiming no money trail linking him to the proceeds of alleged crime has been found.
Sisodia’s counsel earlier stated that the lower court had not considered the medical condition of the AAP leader’s wife who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. He said her condition was deteriorating. The lawyer said the allegation that he was a recipient of the proceeds of crime was “all in air” and no money trail leading to him had been found.