On Saturday opposing the regular bail plea of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that there was no delay on the part of the prosecution; rather, the delay was caused by the accused persons by filing frivolous applications in the Delhi Excise Policy case, the ED said before the Rouse Avenue court.
The main thrust of arguments by counsel for Manish Sisodia was the delay in trial. It was argued that trial proceedings are going at a snail’s pace. Manish Sisodia is in judicial custody in the Delhi Excise policy case. His judicial custody was extended till April 18.
He will join the bail hearing through video conferencing on April 10. Special judge Kaveri Baweja, after hearing the arguments of ED’s special counsel Zoheb Hossain, deferred further submission for April 10.
ED’s special counsel, Zoheb Hossain, opposed the argument of delay. Hossain submitted that the trial has not proceeded at a snail’s pace and there has been no delay from the prosecution side.
“There are 95 applications moved by 31 accused persons,” Hossain argued. “There is a delay by the accused persons and not by the prosecution,” Hossain submitted.
Hossain further said that the delay is partly due to this accused and partly by other co-accused persons.
ED’s counsel also argued that the delay cannot be the sole basis for bail. The rigours of Section 45 PMLA should always be considered when granting bail in PMLA.
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