Delhi Court Rejects Bail for Manish Sisodia in Excise Policy Case
A Delhi court has refused bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case. Sisodia had applied for bail in both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja rejected his bail pleas in both cases today, with a detailed order pending.
Sisodia has been in custody since February 26, 2023, under investigation by both the CBI and the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The case involves allegations of collusion among Delhi government officials to grant liquor licenses to certain traders in exchange for bribes, with accusations of manipulating the excise policy for the benefit of specific liquor sellers.
This marks the second time that the trial court has denied Sisodia’s bail petitions. His initial bail plea in the CBI case was dismissed on March 31, 2023, followed by the rejection of his bail application in the ED case on April 28.
Also read: Money Laundering Case: Delhi Court to Decide on Manish Sisodia’s Bail Plea on April 30
Despite appeals, both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the trial court’s decisions. The Supreme Court, while denying bail on October 30, 2023, indicated that Sisodia could reapply for bail if the trial progressed slowly.
During proceedings, Sisodia’s legal team highlighted his prolonged detention, emphasizing the Supreme Court’s call for an expedited trial. However, the ED and CBI argued that delays were caused by Sisodia and other co-accused, not the prosecution.
Both agencies reiterated Sisodia’s alleged pivotal role in formulating the Delhi excise policy, purportedly favoring specific traders, with accusations of kickbacks to the AAP. Other individuals arrested in connection with the case include Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, AAP communications head Vijay Nair, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha. While Kejriwal and Kavitha remain incarcerated, Sanjay Singh was recently granted bail.
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