Politics

Delhi excise ‘scam’ case: ED claims Sisodia part of money laundering nexus

Published

3 weeks ago

March 10, 2023

New Delhi: The ED on Friday sought the custody of Delhi’s former chief minister Manish Sisodia, under arrest in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy, for 10 days, claiming the AAP leader was “part of the money laundering nexus”. ED’s counsel Zoheb Hossain also claimed before a special court that Sisodia destroyed his phone, an important piece of evidence in the investigation. The lawyer for the federal anti-money laundering probe agency alleged Sisodia made false statements about the ‘scam’ and that it wanted to unearth the modus operandi of the perpetrators and confront him with the other accused.

The claims of the ED counsel were contested by a battery of lawyers who represented Sisodia.

Senior advocates Dayan Krishnan, Mohit Mathur and Siddharth Aggarwal said the excise policy was accepted by the Lieutenant Governor who must have examined it. Sisodia’s lawyers while opposing the ED’s plea for his custody, said it is the executive’s job to make policy which goes through several layers of scrutiny.

“How can ED look into policy making in money-laundering case,” the AAP leader’s counsel asked the court.

“ED has not found a single penny from my client…the case is entirely based on hearsay,” the lawyer said. The ED questioned Sisodia fielding three lawyers for his defence, but the court allowed all of them to argue. Normally only one lawyer defends an accused in a case.

There was heavy security within and outside the Rouse Avenue Courts where Sisodia was produced before special judge M K Nagpal amid protests by his Aam Aadmi Party and the rival BJP.

The supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest outside the court premises and raised slogans in Sisodia’s favour, while those of the BJP demonstrated demanding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation over the case.

The federal anti-money laundering probe agency produced Sisodia before special judge M K Nagpal and contended before him that the “scam” started soon after the new excise policy was drafted by him and others.

The ED counsel said it had evidence against the senior AAP leader in the case.

The movement of tainted money through hawala channels was also being probed, he said, claiming Sisodia was part of the “money laundering nexus”.

“Sisodia destroyed the phone and other evidence. He instead used a phone purchased by others,” the ED lawyer told the court.

Sisodia’s counsel rejected the allegations. Terming the PMLA a “draconian” law, they said he was arrested so that he can be kept in jail. The time has come for courts to come down heavily on such arrests, they said.

The ED arrested Sisodia on Thursday evening in the Tihar jail, where he was lodged in connection with a case being probed by the CBI pertaining to alleged corruption in formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.

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Politics

BJP plans campaign against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘insult to backwards’

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2023

ironity

New Delhi: The BJP has planned a campaign from April 6-14 to highlight Congress leader Rahul Gandhi‘s disqualification from the Lok Sabha as a decision stemming from his “insult to OBCs (other backward classes)” and the work done by the Modi government for the community.On Tuesday, the BJP’s OBC members from both Houses took out a march from Parliament complex to Vijay Chowk protesting against Gandhi’s comments on the “Modi surname“, which led to his disqualification, and demanded an apology.

Union minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Gandhi in the 2019 general election from Amethi, termed his refusal to apologise to the OBC community for his “indecent” comments yet another “manifestation of the Gandhi family’s political arrogance”.

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Politics

State denied legitimate funds, claims West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2023

ironity

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday accused New Delhi of denying the state ‘legitimate’ funds for several government welfare programs, upping the ante before Panchayat polls that political pundits believe will be a dress rehearsal for the general elections scheduled next year. She slammed the Centre on Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, alleging ‘deprivation’ of the state from allocation of central funds.

“In the name of GST, the Centre is taking all the money. It was our fault to support it. We thought various states would benefit from it,” Banerjee said. “But now the Centre is not paying money for 100-day projects and other Central schemes.”

She said that MGNREGA funds worth ₹7,000 crore were yet to be paid besides funds allocated for other central welfare plans, such as rural-road building, PM Awas Yojana and scholarships for needy students.”I will arrange alternative work for the 100-day job-card holders for several projects in the state, including rural road construction, and PWD projects,” Banerjee said. “The Centre is not paying money for 100-day MGNREGA work from last year. We have decided to construct 12,000 km-long rural roads, and 100-day job card holders will be deployed and receive an alternative employment.”

She has already announced that she will sit for a two-day dharna near Dr Ambedkar Statue in the city, starting from tomorrow, against deprivation of the state and non-disbursal of funds by the Centre. Similar protests will be organized by the Trinamool workers all across the state.

In all gram panchayats, altogether 9,000-plus roads will be constructed, totalling more than 12,000 km in length, Banerjee said. “In 22 districts, work will be undertaken in 30,000 villages and expenditure will be approximate nearing Rs 4,000 crore,” the chief minister said.”Launched today, the Pathashree-Rastashree project will ensure better connectivity through 12,000 km of roads in 22 districts. With this, we take another step forward in the direction of development,” she said.

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Politics

As Rahul Gandhi decides to move out, Mallikarjun Kharge offers his residence

Published

7 hours ago

March 29, 2023

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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi formally informed the authorities on Tuesday that he will comply with the directive to vacate his official bungalow on 12, Tughlaq lane following his disqualification as a member of the Lok Sabha after his court conviction. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge suggested Gandhi could stay at his mother Sonia Gandhi‘s 10 Janpath official residence or else move to Kharge’s Rajaji Marg official residence.

Within a day after he received the official directive, Gandhi wrote back to the concerned official of the Lok Sabha secretariat. “As an elected member of the Lok Sabha over the last 4 terms, it is the mandate of the people to which I owe the happy memories of my time spent here. Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course , abide by the details contained in your letter.” Gandhi has one month to vacate the house and his letter meant he was not seeking an extended stay there.

Kharge lashed out at the government for asking Gandhi even as he made his own suggestion and offer. “He can go and live with his mother or he can come to me, I will vacate one (his official residence) for him,” he said.

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