Court extends Manish Sisodia’s ED remand by five more days in excise policy case

The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has granted a five-day extension of the remand of Manish Sisodia, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in connection with an alleged liquor policy case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested the extension, citing the emergence of crucial information during Sisodia’s custody that requires him to be confronted with other accused individuals. The ED is also examining large volumes of data from Sisodia’s mobile and email.

Sisodia’s lawyer, on the other hand, questioned the agency’s focus on the proceeds of the crime, which is essential to the case. The lawyer also suggested that the ED is acting as a proxy agency of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This latest development is a blow to the AAP, which has been grappling with several corruption allegations against its leaders in recent years. Sisodia is a senior leader of the party and played a crucial role in the party’s landslide victory in the 2015 Delhi assembly elections.

Meanwhile, the Budget session in Delhi has been marred by protests from BJP MLAs, who demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Lieutenant Governor’s inaugural address was interrupted as the MLAs protested against alleged corruption in the AAP-led government. The Budget is set to be presented on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen how the ongoing political turmoil will affect the proceedings.