AAP leader Manish Sisodia sent to Delhi’s Tihar jail

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has been lodged in Tihar Jail after a special court today sent him to judicial custody till March 20 in the liquor sales policy scam.

Special judge MK Nagpal sent him to judicial custody after noting that the CBI had not demanded further custody and that they may do so later if required.

The court has allowed the AAP leader to carry medicines prescribed during his medical examination. He has also been allowed to carry a pair of spectacles, a diary, a pen, and a copy of Bhagavad Gita. As requested by Mr Sisodia’s counsel, the court has directed the jail authorities to consider the request of keeping him in the meditation cell.

Sisodia’s bail application will be taken up for hearing on Friday. He was arrested on February 26 and sent to CBI custody for five days. The court later extended the custody by two days.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, who is being investigated over alleged corruption charges linked to the Delhi liquor excise policy, had approached the court earlier for bail but his request was and the CBI had got a three-day extension in his remand.

Mr Sisodia faces allegations of corruption in drawing up the liquor policy for the national capital which opened the retail sale of liquor to the private sector for the first time ever. The policy was withdrawn after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into the issue.

The 51-year-old was arrested by the CBI on Sunday. Last week he resigned from the Delhi cabinet in which he was heading as many as 18 departments.