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By Srishti Ojha: Opposing the bail plea moved by Delhi’s former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has informed the Delhi High Court that the matter involves a “deep-rooted, multi-layered conspiracy”.
The CBI also said that Sisodia is a key link to unearthing the modus operandi. The central investigating agency has alleged that the AAP leader is the “kingpin and architect of the conspiracy”.
In its reply filed before the high court, the CBI claimed that Sisodia’s party colleagues and AAP leaders holding high ranks continued to make false claims in order to influence the investigation.
The CBI has argued that Sisodia has remained non-cooperative and evasive throughout the probe in a bid to derail the instant investigation.
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SISODIA HAS CLOSE NEXUS WITH BUREAUCRATS
The CBI claimed that Sisodia enjoys close nexus with the executives, offices and bureaucrats and his influence and clout is evident.
AAP LEADERS MAKING FALSE CLAIMS ON POLITICAL VENDETTA
The central probe agency has argued that Sisodia’s party colleagues holding high ranks continue to make false claims in order to influence the investigation. It also said the party’s stand that Sisodia is a victim of a political vendetta is also a “false claim”.
“A perusal of the said statements by these leaders during the press conferences would reveal how the entire efforts of not only the applicant but his party colleagues as a whole are to shield the accused herein,” the CBI said.
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STATEMENTS BY AAP LEADERS UNDERMINE COURT’S AUTHORITY
The CBI has said that the statements made by AAP leaders also undermine the authority of the Ld. Special Judge (CBI), having already taken cognisance of the offences, and are being made to adversely impact the investigation by levelling unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations, thereby, influencing and deterring
the witnesses of the case.
The central probe agency has alleged that changes in the excise policy were made by Sisodia with malafide intention in utter disregard to the recommendations by an expert committee headed by then Excise Commissioner Ravi Dhawan, as well as opinions received from legal experts, since the same did not favour the South Group.
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According to the CBI, Sisodia also threatened and pressurised various officials, including the excise commissioners, when they did not accede to his directions.
The CBI has claimed that to facilitate the monopolisation of the liquor trade in Delhi, Sisodia also pressurised excise officials to grant wholesale licence to one manufacturer, Indospirits, despite the pendency of complaints of cartelisation/blacklisting against the said firm.
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