Manish Sisodia sent to 5-day CBI custody

New Delhi: A special Delhi court awarded five-day CBI custody to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for further interrogation in the now scrapped excise policy scam.

Sisodia was arrested by the central investigation agency on Sunday night after eight hours of questioning.

CBI produced Sisodia in a CBI court at Rouse Avenue on Monday.

CBI in its remand request told the Special CBI judge MK Nagpal that Sisodia's custody was required for effective interrogation in excise case.

Appearing for Sisodia, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan opposed the remand application saying “íf someone is not willing to say something you want to hear, that can't be a ground for arrest”.

“Look at their arrest memo, remand application. They say he is not answering. I ask myself, is he required to answer?” argued Krishnan.

“Sometimes we feel that remands are empty formality. I don't believe that. Remands are in accordance with judgements of SC. Court applies its mind and sees if mandate of Sec 41 and 41A of CRPC is followed or not,” Krishnan further told the court.

Senior Advocates Mohit Mathur and Siddharth Aggarwal also made submissions on behalf of Sisodia.

Both Mathur and Aggarwal went offensive against CBI and the Centre. 

“Today, an investigating officer wants to go behind what an elected govt wants to do. A constitutional functionary approves it. This was part of note which went to LG, no notification was suggested by them. No suggestion,” Mathur argued.

“What was changing yesterday that the finance minister was to be placed under custody. Was he not available for the next days? Or was this arrest done for ulterior motive? This case is assault to an individual as well as the institution. Remand will send a message, this is a fit case for declining remand,” Aggarwal said.