In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed an application seeking permission to file additional documents in the money laundering angle of the Delhi excise policy case. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is among the accused in the case. The Rouse Avenue court granted time to the counsel to file a reply to the application.
Special Judge MK Nagpal has scheduled the matter for a hearing on January 10, 2024. The court has also extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia until the next date of hearing. However, the court expressed dissatisfaction over the non-disclosure of details regarding a new bank account opened by Sisodia. In response, the court directed the ED to provide the accused persons with 540 pages of additional documents in hard copy before the next hearing.
Furthermore, the court has kept pending an application by the ED seeking a day-to-day hearing in the case. The court clarified that the trial will commence after the scrutiny of documents and the framing of charges against the accused. The court emphasized that the application would be addressed at the appropriate stage. Additionally, the court expressed strong displeasure over the filing of fresh applications for previously filed documents.
In a final opportunity, the court directed the counsels to visit the ED office to inspect the record related to illegible and missing documents. An application for interim bail was also submitted by Arun Pillai, with the hearing scheduled for December 15, 2023.
The court noted that a table of documents was sent by email to the counsels for the accused on November 29, 2023. Advocates Naveen Kumar Matta and Faizan appeared on behalf of the ED, with Advocate Matta informing the court that only one counsel approached them for clarification, and after an inspection was allowed, they were satisfied.
The investigation officer (IO) stated that there seems to be no end to the filing of such applications. Regardless, they are prepared to supply the documents, regardless of whether they have been already provided or not.
The court expressed readiness to supply a copy of the electronic device to the two accused, suggesting that the IO prepare copies of these documents and inform the concerned counsel to delegate an associate to collect them.
During the hearing, the court also directed the concerned District Magistrate to attach properties worth Rs 10,000 of the accused company for non-compliance with the court-imposed costs.
The ED has alleged that the accused, Manish Sisodia, has generated proceeds of crime amounting to approximately Rs 622 crore through their activities. Sisodia was arrested by the ED in this case on March 9, following a previous arrest by the CBI on February 26. The case continues to unfold, with further developments expected in the coming hearings.
