Delhi liquor policy case: A special CBI court in New Delhi has denied bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy matter. Judge MK Nagpal, while denying bail to Sisodia, said that the investigation is at a crucial stage and does not merit granting bail.<blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>Court, meanwhile, defers the passing of order on bail petitions of Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra, co-accused in Excise money-laundering case for May 6</p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href=https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1651898547175055361?ref_src=twsrc^tfw>April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the case, opposed Sisodia's request for bail and alleged that he had fabricated emails to show public approval of the new liquor policy. Last month, the court had also denied Sisodia's bail request, saying his release would adversely affect the ongoing investigation.Also Read: Former J&K Guv Satyapal Malik under CBI scanner for alleged insurance scamThe CBI began its investigation into the Delhi liquor policy case after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered it last year. The Delhi government subsequently reverted to the old liquor policy, blaming the Lieutenant Governor for loss of potential revenue. <blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>Delhi&#39;s Rouse Avenue Court dismisses the bail plea of AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in connection with money laundering related to Excise scam. Manish Sisodia was arrested by ED in the case on March 9<br><br>(File photo) <a href=https://t.co/CxHE7c6Zz1>pic.twitter.com/CxHE7c6Zz1</a></p>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href=https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1651898432867667970?ref_src=twsrc^tfw>April 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>The CBI is also focusing on the alleged influence of a south lobby of businessmen and politicians in manipulating the Delhi liquor policy using middlemen, traders and bureaucrats. In connection to the case, the CBI has arrested Butchibabu Gorantla, a former chartered accountant of K Kavitha, leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Ms Kavitha was also questioned in the case.Also Read: Liquorgate: ED chargesheet against Arun Pillai, Amandeep Dhal to be decided on May 1