The Supreme Court, hearing the bail plea of former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the alleged liquor policy scam, asked the investigating agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), if there was any evidence of against the AAP leader in the case.
According to Bar and Bench, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V.N. Bhatti, hearing the case, asked the agencies how they would "establish money laundering by Sisodia factually and legally."
"Where is the proof? Where is the evidence? You have to establish a chain of events. Where are the proceeds of the crime?," the court asked.
According to the two federal investigative agencies, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours were extended to licence holders.
"We understand there is a policy change and everybody wants a change that will be beneficial for them. That will be there. If we say special groups are discriminatory, ... without money consideration, it will not make out an offence," the court said, adding that there will always be some pressure and conflict when a policy decision is taken. "Of course, bribes cannot be accepted," the court added.
The court sought to know how the money reached the former deputy chief minister. "You have taken two figures, Rs 100 crore and Rs 30 crore. Who paid them this? There can be so many people paying the money - not necessarily connected to liquor. Where is the proof? Dinesh Arora himself is the recipient. Where is the evidence? Except for the statement of Dinesh Arora, is there any other evidence," the court said.
The Supreme Court posted further hearing in the case to October 12.
Sisodia, who held the excise portfolio, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the 'scam'. He has been in custody since then.
The ED arrested him in a money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9 after questioning him in Tihar Jail.
Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28.