Manish Sisodia sent to 14-day judicial custody, to be lodged in Tihar jail

NEW DELHI: Manish Sisodia, former Delhi deputy chief minister, was sent to 14-day judicial custody in the liquor policy case on Monday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has been in the CBI’s custody for a week following his arrest. Sisodia will be lodged in Tihar jail till March 20.

Sisodia was arrested in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22.

During the hearing, the CBI told the court that the agency is not seeking further custody right now, but will seek it in future as “the conduct of the accused person is not correct”.

“They are terrifying the witnesses. They are giving political colour to the proceedings,” the CBI told the court.

“I am being asked the same questions from morning to evening all day. It is mental harassment for me,” Sisodia had said soon after his CBI remand was extended for two more days on Saturday. He was produced before special judge MK Nagpal today on expiry of his 7-day custodial interrogation allowed by the court earlier.

The CBI has alleged that the former Delhi deputy chief minister was arrested as he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence.

Meanwhile, Sisodia has also filed a bail application before a Delhi court, which will be taken up for hearing on March 10. The court has asked the CBI to file its reply.

In the bail plea, Sisodia said that keeping him in custody would serve no fruitful purpose as all the recoveries in the case have already been made.