The Supreme Court has stayed the proceedings initiated the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against Yash Tuteja, son of IAS officer Anil Tuteja, for his alleged involvement in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam.

The national agency had identified Yash as the kingpin of the syndicate for illegal supply of liquor in Chhattisgarh.

The Bench of Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia directed that the same order would apply to all 35 Government officers, who were also facing trial in the case.

Earlier, the Apex Court had directed ED to refrain from taking any coercive steps against Yash Tuteja.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal informed the Apex Court that the government officers were being asked to give details of their properties, even though there was no predicate offence against them.

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Monday extended for two more weeks, the judicial custody of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 for his alleged involvement in a case related to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22

Special CBI Judge M.K. Nagpal at Rouse Avenue Courts ordered CBI to produce Sisodia before the court on April 17. The court will hear his bail plea in the ED case on Wednesday.

Earlier on March 31, the court had denied bail to Sisodia, who was arrested by CBI in February 2023 and has since remained behind bars. 

Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have filed cases against him under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), respectively.

Earlier on March 24, the court had reserved order on his bail petition.

Special Judge Nagpal had earlier heard arguments by Senior Advocates Dayan Krishnan and Mohit Mathur, who represented Sisodia and Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh, who appeared for CBI.

CBI had earlier opposed Sisodia’s bail on the grounds that it would scuttle the investigation and that there has been a ‘constant’ practice of destruction of evidence by him.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Sisodia, submitted that he had complied with the requirements of Section 41A CrPC notice, adding that the requirements of custodial Interrogation no longer survived. 

Contending that nothing exceptional has been stated by CBI to warrant continued custody, Krishnan said nothing was on record to show that Sisodia could threaten the witnesses. 

On March 22, the same court had extended the judicial custody of the AAP leader till April 5. Sisodia was produced before Special Judge Nagpal on expiry of custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

CBI had arrested the AAP leader on February 26 after an interrogation of more than eight hours. He was named as an accused in the FIR. 

CBI alleged that Sisodia gave evasive replies during the probe and did not cooperate with the investigation, despite being confronted with evidence. The agency filed a charge sheet in the matter on November 25, 2022.

As per the FIR lodged by CBI, the former Delhi Cabinet Minister and others were instrumental in ‘recommending’ and ‘taking’ decisions regarding the Excise policy 2021-22 ‘without approval’ of the competent authority with an intention to ‘extend’ undue favours to the licensee post tender.

On February 27, the trial court had remanded Sisodia to CBI custody for five days. His custody was later extended for two more days.

On March 6, he was sent to judicial custody in the CBI case. It was during this judicial custody that ED arrested him under PMLA. The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Sisodia after questioning him inside Tihar jail.

On March 10, the same court had remanded Sisodia to ED custody for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The custody was later extended to March 22.

The court had earlier observed that Sisodia was instrumental at every stage in formulation and implementation of the Excise policy and that his arrest in the money laundering case was fully justified.

ED had alleged that the Excise Policy 2021-22 was implemented as part of a conspiracy to give wholesale business profit of 12 percent to certain private companies. It said that such a stipulation was not mentioned in the minutes of meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM).

The national agency further submitted that the conspiracy was coordinated by businessman Vijay Nair and other individuals, in connivance with people from the Southern part of the country, to give extraordinary profit margin to wholesalers.

As per ED, Nair was acting on behalf of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sisodia.

It also accused Sisodia of destroying the evidence, alleging that the AAP leader destroyed 14 phones out of which only two were recovered. It was also submitted that the former Delhi Minister used sim cards and phones, which were purchased in the name of other individuals.

A local court in Delhi on Saturday adjourned hearing to April 5 in the bail petition of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22

The court listed the matter for hearing at 02:00 pm on April 5 after it was apprised that ED was yet to file a reply to Sisodia’s bail petition.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain appeared for the national agency, while Senior Advocates Dayan Krishnan, Siddharth Aggarwal and Mohit Mathur represented Sisodia.

Earlier on Friday, Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Courts had reserved order in bail petition of Sisodia. The court said it would pronounce the order on March 31 at 4 pm in a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).  

The AAP leader is currently in judicial custody. Both the CBI and ED have filed cases against him under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), respectively.

Special Judge Nagpal had earlier heard arguments by Senior Advocates Dayan Krishnan and Mohit Mathur, who represented Sisodia and Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh, who appeared for CBI.

Earlier this week, CBI had opposed Sisodia’s bail on the grounds that it would scuttle the investigation and that there has been a ‘constant’ practice of destruction of evidence by him.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Sisodia, submitted that he had complied with the requirements of Section 41A CrPC notice, adding that the requirements of custodial Interrogation no longer survived. 

Contending that nothing exceptional has been stated by CBI to warrant continued custody, Krishnan said nothing is on record to show that Sisodia could threaten the witnesses. 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested the AAP leader on February 26 after an interrogation of more than eight hours. He was named as an accused in the FIR. 

CBI alleged that Sisodia gave evasive replies during the probe and did not cooperate with the investigation, despite being confronted with evidence. The agency filed a charge sheet in the matter on November 25, 2022.

As per the FIR lodged by CBI, the former Delhi Cabinet Minister and others were instrumental in ‘recommending’ and ‘taking’ decisions regarding the Excise policy 2021-22 ‘without approval’ of the competent authority with an intention to ‘extend’ undue favours to the licensee post tender.

On February 27, the trial court had remanded Sisodia to CBI custody for five days. His custody was later extended for two more days.

On March 6, he was sent to judicial custody in the CBI case. It was during this judicial custody that ED arrested him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Earlier on March 10, the same court had remanded Sisodia to ED custody for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The custody was later extended to March 22. 

On March 22, the same court had extended the judicial custody of Sisodia till April 5. Sisodia was produced before Special Judge Nagpal on expiry of custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Sisodia under PMLA after questioning him inside Tihar jail.

The court had earlier observed that Sisodia was instrumental at every state in the formulation and implementation of excise policy and that his arrest in the money laundering case was fully justified.

ED had alleged that the Excise Policy 2021-22 was implemented as part of a conspiracy to give wholesale business profit of 12 percent to certain private companies. It said that such a stipulation was not mentioned in the minutes of meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM).

The national agency further submitted that the conspiracy was coordinated by businessman Vijay Nair and other individuals, in connivance with people from the Southern part of the country, to give extraordinary profit margin to wholesalers.

As per ED, Nair was acting on behalf of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sisodia.

It also accused Sisodia of destroying the evidence, alleging that the AAP leader destroyed 14 phones out of which only two were recovered. It was also submitted that the former Delhi cabinet Minister used sim cards and phones, which were purchased in the name of other individuals.

A local court in Delhi on Friday extended till March 22, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by ED for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Special Judge M.K. Nagpal at the Rouse Avenue Court directed that Sisodia be produced in the court at 2 pm on March 22. Further, the court listed the bail petition of the Aam Aadmi Party leader for hearing on March 21.

Earlier on March 10, the court had remanded Sisodia in ED custody till March 17 for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. 

Special Judge M.K. Nagpal at the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the verdict after hearing arguments from Senior Advocates Dayan Krishnan, Mohit Mathur and Siddharth Aggarwal, who appeared for Sisodia. The ED was represented by Advocate Zoheb Hossain 

The court further listed the bail application of Sisodia in the CBI case for hearing at 2:00 pm on March 21.

The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), after questioning him inside Tihar jail.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant urgent hearing on a petition filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Kavitha Kalvakuntla, challenging the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against her in relation to her alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

The matter was mentioned before the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha, which refused immediate hearing and posted the matter on March 24.

ED had earlier questioned the MLA from Nizamabad Local Bodies Constituency on March 11 and summoned her to appear in its Delhi office tomorrow.

Kavitha is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The petition, filed by Advocate Vandana Sehgal on behalf of the BRS MLA, contended that she was not named in the FIR and that the summons were in the teeth of Section 160 CrPC, which stipulated that no woman shall be required to attend as witness at any place other than the place in which she reside.

Kavitha further said that she was asked to appear before the ED in Delhi, purportedly to confront her with an arrestee in the case.

The agency had given her a very short notice for appearance and denied her requests to be examined at her residence or to extend the date of examination, noted the plea, alleging that when she appeared before the ED on March 11, she was subjected to multiple illegalities by the ED.

The MLA said she was forced to produce her cell phone whereas she was summoned under Sections 50(2), 50(3) PMLA, which did not require production of mobile. Further, the agency seized her device and interrogated her, a lady, much after the sunset. No confrontation with any arrestee was done, she added.

Kavitha alleged that ED purposely leaked her personal contact details in the garb of filing a remand application qua one of the accused in the case and thereafter, she was served a notice by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She was questioned for almost seven hours by CBI, added the BRS MLA.

The petition alleged that ED was adopting highly coercive tactics and third degree measures in connection with their purported investigations. It said there was no case against the petitioner.

The only basis on which the petitioner was implicated was on the basis of certain statements of a few persons, who had given incriminating statements qua themselves as well as allegedly against the petitioner.

As per the plea, such statements had been extracted out of threat and coercion, which was evident from the fact that on March 10 this year, one Arun Ramachandran Pillai retracted his statement.

The credibility of the statements purported to be against the petitioner was under serious doubt, it added.

A local court in Delhi on Friday sent former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in the custody of Enforcement Directorate till March 17 for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. 

Special Judge M.K. Nagpal at the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the verdict after hearing arguments from Senior Advocates Dayan Krishnan, Mohit Mathur and Siddharth Aggarwal, who appeared for Sisodia. The ED was represented by Advocate Zoheb Hossain 

The court further listed the bail application of Sisodia in the CBI case for hearing at 2:00 pm on March 21.

Yesterday, the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), after questioning him inside Tihar jail.

On March 6, the Rouse Avenue Court had remanded Sisodia to judicial custody in the case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging corruption in implementation of the now-scrapped Excise Policy for the year 2021-22.

The order was passed after the CBI Counsel said they were not seeking extension of his custody at present but might seek his remand again in the next 15 days.

The trial court permitted Sisodia to have spectacles, Bhagwat Gita, a diary and a pen inside the jail premises. He further got permission to have his medicines as prescribed in the MLC conducted by CBI officials. 

Special Judge Nagpal had directed the Jail Superintendent to consider Sisodia’s request of keeping him in Vipaasana (meditation) cell.

On February 27, the trial court had remanded Sisodia to CBI’s custody for five days. He was again sent to CBI custody for two more days on Saturday last week.

Sisodia was arrested on February 26 after an interrogation of more than eight hours. He was named as an accused in the FIR related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the Excise Policy for the year 2021-22.

CBI claimed that it arrested Sisodia as he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence. 

Sisodia was earlier questioned on October 17 last year. A charge sheet was filed in the matter on November 25, 2022.

The FIR by CBI alleged that Sisodia and others were instrumental in ‘recommending’ and taking decisions regarding the Excise policy 2021-22 ‘without’ approval of the competent authority, with an intention to ‘extend’ undue favours to the licensee post tender.

A local court in Delhi on Monday sent former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 in connection with his alleged involvement in the liquor scam case, to judicial custody till March 20.

Special CBI Judge M.K. Nagpal at the Rouse Avenue Court allowed Sisodia’s application seeking to provide his spectacles, Bhagwad Geeta, a diary and a pen inside the prison.

It further permitted the former Delhi Cabinet Minister to do Vipassana in the jail, after he contended that there was a system of Vipassana for prisoners in jail.

The Counsel appearing for CBI contended that the agency did not seek remand of the former Aam Aadmi Party leader at this stage, but may do so in the next 15 days. 

He alleged that Sisodia’s supporters, along with the media, were ‘politicising’ the matter, while the witnesses were terrified.

Representing Sisodia, Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur contended that he was ‘appalled’ by such an argument. He asked whether they were scared of media.

The Special CBI Judge refused to pass any order against the media, stating that the media could not be stopped from reporting the matter. As long as protests were peaceful, the Court would remain unconcerned, he added.

Earlier on March 4, the court had extended the CBI remand of Sisodia by two days.

The Judge further listed his bail plea for hearing on March 10 at 2 pm and directed CBI to file a reply in the matter by the next date of hearing. 

The former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister had applied for bail on March 3, contending that keeping him in custody would not serve any ‘fruitful purpose,’ since all the recoveries in the case have already been made. 

Sisodia personally addressed the court after his remand was extended and said that CBI was asking him the same questions every day from morning till late in the evening, subjecting him to a sort of ‘mental harassment’. 

He further alleged that the questioning for 8-10 hours daily amounted to third degree torture and claimed that CBI did not have any documentary evidence against him.

The Court noted the CBI’s submissions that some ‘missing documents’ had to be traced and two names have been given in whose presence the agency has to interrogate Sisodia. 

On February 27, the Rouse Avenue Court had sent Sisodia to five-day CBI custody over his alleged involvement in irregularities related to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Pankaj Gupta had appeared for CBI before the Rouse Avenue Court. 

He sought custody of Sisodia till March 4, arguing that investigation had revealed that Sisodia verbally directed the Secretary to put a new Cabinet note to bring about the change and variance in the policy. 

Gupta said the Deputy Chief Minister was heading the Group of Ministers constituted by the Cabinet for the Excise Policy. The profit margin was enhanced from five percent to 12 percent. Sisodia could not explain why the changes were made, he added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested Sisodia in connection with the liquor policy scam on Sunday, after questioning him for eight hours.

CBI said it had arrested Sisodia on the basis of some documents and digital evidence, along with destruction of evidence.

The AAP leader had challenged his arrest by CBI in the Supreme Court, which dismissed his plea on February 28.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha told Sisodia that he had alternative remedies available before the High Court, which he should have pursued, instead of directly invoking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution.

CBI had alleged that Sisodia and other members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had granted liquor licences to certain traders in exchange for bribes.

It was alleged that the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 was manipulated in such a manner, so as to benefit certain traders and that kickbacks were received in exchange for the same.

Both CBI and ED had registered cases in relation to the alleged scam after Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe based on a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary, which alleged that Sisodia had violated statutory provisions and notified a policy that had significant financial implications.

As the Supreme Court braces to hear a petition challenging the arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the liquor policy scam in less than an hour, here’s a look at the timeline of events that led to arrest of the Aam Aadmi Party leader under relevant Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, which attract a maximum sentence of seven years.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia over his alleged involvement in the liquor scam case.

On October 17, 2022, CBI had registered an FIR against 15 persons, including Sisodia, under Section 477A and 120B of the Indian Penal (IPC) and Section 7 of the PC Act.

Section 477A of IPC was related to falsification of accounts with intent to defraud punishment, extendable for seven years or fine or both.

Section 120B of IPC was related to criminal conspiracy, which attracts maximum punishment of six months, or fine or with both

Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was related to a public servant taking gratification in doing any official act, which attracts maximum punishment of five years and fine.

The matter dates back to November 17, 2021, when the Delhi Excise Policy came into force.

On July 8, 2022, a report by Delhi Chief Secretary alleged that the AAP-led government had violated the Government of Delhi Act, 1991; Transaction of Business rules, 1993; Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.

On July 22 last year, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended CBI probe in to the violations.

This was followed by CBI registering an FIR in October last year and subsequent arrest of the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister on February 26, 2023.

A local court in Delhi on Monday sent Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to five days custody under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with his alleged involvement in the liquor scam case.

Special CBI Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court sent Sisodia to CBI remand till March 5.

Appearing for CBI, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Pankaj Gupta argued that investigation had revealed that Sisodia verbally directed the Secretary to put a new Cabinet note to bring about the change and variance in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy. 

Gupta said the Deputy Chief Minister was heading the Group of Ministers constituted by the Cabinet for the Excise Policy. The profit margin was enhanced from five percent to 12 percent. Sisodia could not explain why the changes were made, he added.

The SPP said the agency was asking for his phone, which he has been using since January 2020.

Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Sisodia, argued that the grounds for remand were not tenable in law at all.

He said all the arguments about profit margin were approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The LG, who was a complainant in the case, had himself approved the policy in May, 2021, he added.

Responding to the allegation that Sisodia damaged three phones, Krishnan said that the Respondents have alleged that Sisodia used four phones, out of which, he destroyed three. 

He contended that Sisodia could not have kept the damaged phones with him in anticipation that CBI would come and arrest him.

Earlier on Sunday, the national agency had arrested Sisodia in connection with the liquor policy scam, after eight hours of questioning.

Sisodia had reached the CBI office for questioning on Sunday morning.

Ahead of his questioning by the Central agency, security personnel were deployed outside Sisodia’s residence as many Aam Aadmi Party supporters had gathered outside the house of the Delhi’s Deputy CM.

Sisodia held a road show along with his supporters and even visited Rajghat before heading to the CBI headquarters.

Several AAP leaders alleged that they were put under house arrest till Sisodia’s questioning was completed.

CBI said it has arrested Sisodia on the basis of some documents and digital evidence.

The Central agency said Sisodia would be produced before the court on Monday.

CBI further said that it has also arrested the AAP leader for destruction of evidence.

Read the order here: