New Delhi, April 10 (HS). During the hearing on the bail plea of Manish Sisodia in the Delhi Excise scam case, ED said that the court needs to decide whether the trial is progressing too slowly. ED said in Rouse Avenue Court that the court cannot yet reach the conclusion that Sisodia is not guilty. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja ordered the next hearing on the bail plea on April 15.
During the hearing, ED cited the earlier decisions of the Supreme Court and said that the court will have to consider the case on the basis of merit. ED said that Sisodia is not fulfilling the dual conditions of Section 45 of the Money Laundering Act. Therefore, the court cannot yet reach the conclusion that Sisodia is not guilty. ED said that Sisodia planted e-mails to pretend to deviate from the expert report. For this we also have documentary proof, WhatsApp chat and e-mail.
Advocate Zoheb Hussain, appearing for ED, had said on April 6 that the delay in the trial is being used as the basis in Manish Sisodia's bail plea, while the delay is being done by the accused. It was said on behalf of Manish Sisodia that the trial is going on at a snail's pace while the Supreme Court in its decision on the bail petition has asked for an early trial.
On April 6, the court had extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia till April 18. ED had arrested Manish Sisodia in this case from Tihar Jail after interrogation on March 9, 2023. Sisodia was earlier arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023.