No Substance in the case: Sisodia denied permission to obtain copies of excise policy files

New Delhi, 10 November 2022: The Delhi law department has rejected Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s request for copies of the files pertaining to the now-cancelled Excise Policy 2021–22, stating that it was said that the case lacked substance

In response, Sisodia posted that rather than deflecting the attention, the authorities should explain what they had learned during the course of the probe.

The excise may ask the investigative agency, which is in charge of the original files, for permission to provide the photocopies, said the law department.

Further, Sisodia ordered his special duty officer to seek the excise commissioner for “photocopies and scanned copy (on a pen drive) of files and papers relevant to the formation of Excise Policy 2021-22 and related tender documents promptly”. It was found that Sisodia wanted the “exact files, papers, and documents that are under scrutiny and investigation by agencies” in a note he sent to the excise commissioner on September 30.

Earlier, for the investigations, the excise had given the CBI the original files and the ED, copies of those data. According to the Press Trust of India, it requested the finance department for authorization before asking the law department if Sisodia may receive the materials. But, the law department explicitly stated that Manish Sisodia is “reflected as accused No. 1” and that the subject is being investigated by several agencies.

Because of this, sources informed that “the regular business transaction procedures of the GNCTD Rules, which permit a minister to request documents from any department for his information, would not be relevant in this case.”

The excise may ask the investigative agency that has taken the original files for authorization to supply the copies. However, according to sources in the Delhi government, the issue is without merit.

“They have previously been unsuccessful in all of their inquiries and searches of Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. In an effort to malign, Sisodia, the LG is making unfounded claims,” stated Delhi govt sources.