The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confiscated properties worth Rs. 7.40 crores belonging to Manish Sisodia, one of the accused in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. This action has been initiated under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Alongside Sisodia, assets worth Rs. 52.24 crores owned by other accused individuals, namely Amandeep Dhall, Rajesh Joshi, and Gautam Malhotra, have also been seized.
Previously, the ED had attached assets worth Rs. 76.54 crores belonging to Vijay Nair, Sameer Mahendru, Amit Arora, and Arun Pillai. Consequently, a total of Rs. 128.78 crores worth of assets have been attached.
Details of the Attached Properties
According to official sources within the ED, the attached properties on Friday include two immovable assets worth Rs. 7.29 crores belonging to Manish Sisodia and his wife, Seema Sisodia. Additionally, Rs. 11.49 lakh deposited in Manish Sisodia’s bank account has been frozen. Furthermore, movable assets worth Rs. 16.45 crores owned by Brindco Sales and other assets totaling approximately Rs. 44 crores have been attached.
Evidence of Money Laundering Exceeding Rs. 1,900 Crores
A senior officer has claimed that evidence of money laundering amounting to at least Rs. 1,934 crores has been uncovered in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. Efforts are underway to locate and seize the assets based on this evidence. It is expected that the properties of other accused individuals may also be confiscated in the near future.
ED Arrested Sisodia in March
Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the ED in March in connection with this case and is currently in judicial custody. The ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allege that the 2021-22 excise policy of the Delhi government allowed for the formation of cartels in the issuance of liquor licenses. Sisodia is accused of favoring certain dealers who allegedly bribed him, though these allegations have been vehemently denied by the Delhi government.
Total of 13 Arrests Made
Thus far, the ED has arrested a total of 13 individuals in relation to the Excise Policy money laundering case. The latest arrest was made on Thursday night (July 6) of the 13th accused, businessman Dinesh Arora.
On July 3, the Delhi High Court rejected Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in the ED case. Subsequently, he has appealed to the Supreme Court.
