The Supreme Court is set to hear Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia’s bail pleas on Monday in relation to corruption and money laundering cases associated with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam
Details of the Case
Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, has been in custody for 16 months and is seeking bail, arguing that the trial has not progressed since October of last year. According to the Supreme Court’s cause list for July 29, the bench, composed of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, is scheduled to review Sisodia’s pleas.
Previous Developments
On July 16, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the pleas, requesting responses from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Additionally, Sisodia has filed a request for the revival of his bail petitions in connection with the excise policy-related corruption and money laundering cases. He was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, concerning alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22, which has since been discontinued. Subsequently, the ED arrested him on March 9, 2023, on money laundering charges originating from the CBI FIR. Sisodia stepped down from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
Recent Legal Proceedings
Sisodia’s appeal mentions that on June 4, the law officer representing the investigative agencies informed the Supreme Court that the charge sheet and the prosecution complaint in the main excise policy case, along with the related money laundering case, would be submitted on or before July 3. In ED terminology, a prosecution complaint is equivalent to a charge sheet.
On June 4, the Supreme Court declined to hear Sisodia’s bail pleas in these two cases, noting that Sisodia could renew his bail petitions after the final prosecution complaint by the ED and the charge sheet by the CBI were filed in these cases. The Court further stated that if such a bail application is filed, it would be evaluated based on its own merits, as previously observed by the Court in its October 30, 2023, order.
Previous Bail Denials
Sisodia had earlier approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court’s May 21 decision to dismiss his bail pleas. He also contested the trial court’s April 30 order that rejected his bail applications in both cases. On October 30 of the previous year, the Supreme Court denied his bail, noting that the accusation of “windfall gains” of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers was “tentatively supported” by evidence.
While denying regular bail, the Court had given Sisodia the option to seek relief if there were changes in circumstances or if the trial became unduly prolonged.
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(With inputs from agency)
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