Proceeds of the crime of at least Rs 292.8 crore (calculated as of the date which is likely to increase during the course of the investigation) is attributable in respect of the role of Sh. Manish Sisodia…, the ED said in its remand papers while seeking his custody. Sisodia, said, Conspired with other persons and actively involved in the formation of faulty policy against kickbacks…Sisodia has played role in the generation, transfer, and concealment of the proceeds of crime and projected the same as untainted.Giving a small tabular column on the note, the ED claimed while Rs 100 crore was received as kickbacks from the ‘South Group’ of the liquor cartel, an accused company in the case, into spirits, made a profit of Rs 192.8 crore which was proceeds of crime generated through the irregularities made in the excise policy 2021-22.
The policy was scrapped after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor raised a red flag and asked the CBI to investigate. The ED took cognizance of the CBI FIR to slap a case of money laundering against Sisodia and others.
Source: Zee NewsThe agency also claimed Sisodia gave false statements to it during his questioning in the Tihar jail on March 7 and March 9. He was in judicial custody after the CBI arrested him late last month in the related corruption case.On being asked about his association with Dinesh Arora (another accused), who handled the transfer of kickbacks from the South Group to Vijay Nair (AAP functionary arrested in the case), he (Sisodia) gave an answer contrary to what has been revealed by independent persons/stakeholders, the ED alleged.
It said Sisodia got the policy formulated and implemented in such a way so as to allow illegal gains to certain persons/ entities against kickbacks.
He took various decisions as a part of GoM and as the excise minister which ultimately resulted in huge loss to the exchequer and illegal gains to specific persons/entities against kickbacks, the ED said.It claimed in the new GoM report (on which the excise policy was formed), the wholesale procurement of liquor from manufacturers, storage, and supply to retail shops were given to private players whereas the expert committee had recommended keeping the wholesale operations with a government entity, which resulted in shifting of profit from the government to private entities.
Source: Capital TVMuch graver issue is that the government lost the control over the supply chain of liquor in Delhi which is a sensitive commodity being fast moving and highly taxed, the ED said. Sisodia went against the suggestions of the expert committee and public comments, it said.
Moreover, public opinion/comments were not sought on the report of the GoM that was placed on March 22, 2021, even though the GoM revamped the excise policy framework completely and had a considerable time gap (3 months) between when the policy was finalized and uploaded on July 5, 2021, which exposes the mala fide intention and conspiracy of Sisodia and reflects that he was seeking the public comments and suggestions as merely an eyewash, the ED claimed.
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