The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Saturday set March 10 as the next date for the bail hearing of arrested former Delhi MP CM Manish Sisodia.
The court informed the CBI of Sisodia’s bail suit, who was arrested in a corruption case related to the alleged excise tax fraud in Delhi.
The CBI had requested a three-day extension of Sisodia’s detention. Meanwhile, senior attorney Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Sisodia, opposed the CBI request. “The CBI’s inefficiency in conducting the investigation cannot be grounds for pre-trial detention,” PTI quoted Krishnan as saying.
The request was submitted to Special Judge MK Nagpal, who released the matter for hearing on Saturday, his lawyer Rishikesh said.
The CBI arrested him Sunday night after nearly eight hours of questioning in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-abolished alcohol policy for 2021-22. The agency claimed that Sisodia’s responses were unsatisfactory.
The court had taken Sisodia into CBI custody on February 27 to allow the agency to obtain “true and legitimate” answers to questions put to him for “a proper and fair investigation.”
The judge had said that although the accused had participated in the investigation on two previous occasions, he was found not to have satisfactorily answered most of the questions put to him during his investigation and interrogation. The court had stated that he had failed to lawfully explain the incriminating evidence that had allegedly surfaced against him in the previous investigation.
He cannot be expected to make self-incriminating statements, but in the interests of the judiciary and a fair investigation he must give legitimate answers to the questions put to him by the investigating officer (IO). , the judge had said.
“It is established that some of his subordinates have disclosed certain facts which may be considered incriminating against him, and some documentary evidence against him has also already surfaced…
“…a proper and fair investigation requires finding some genuine and legitimate answers to the questions put to it in that regard and therefore, in the considered opinion of this Court, this can only be done during the questioning of the accused in custody.” ‘ said the judge.
He added that regarding concerns expressed by senior counsel regarding the use of force or third-degree methods to obtain information from the defendant, “this Court does not expect the same from the officers of the CBI who have been given the task of investigating the defendants.” to interrogate, who holds the high post of Dy. Chief Minister of the GNCTD and also some other important portfolios”.
In any case, such fears could always be dispelled by conditions, according to the judge.
“Therefore, it is also ordered that the interrogation of defendants during this time shall be conducted in a location under video surveillance in accordance with guidelines established by the Supreme Court and said footage shall be retained by the CBI. It is also on condition that he has a medical check-up once every 48 hours,” the judge said.
(With contributions from agencies)
