Delhi Liquor Case: Cannot Keep Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia In Jail 'Indefinitely', SC Tells CBI, ED

A two-member bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju when will the arguments on charges against the AAP leader commence in the trial court.

New Delhi: Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia cannot be kept in jail for an "indefinite period" in the Delhi excise policy cases, the Supreme Court told the CBI and ED on Monday.

A two-member bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the two probe agencies, when will the arguments on charges against the AAP leader commence in the trial court.

During the hour-long hearing, the bench told Raju, "You cannot keep him behind (bars) for an indefinite period. You cannot keep him behind like this. Once a chargesheet is filed in a case, arguments on charge should commence immediately."

"Why have the arguments on charge not yet commenced and when will they commence? Tell us by tomorrow (Tuesday)," Justice Khanna said.

Responding to the bench, Raju said that the cases against Sisodia are at the stage of section 207 of CrPC (supply of documents to the accused), and after that the arguments on charge will commence.

The top court was hearing the bail pleas of Sisodia, who was arrested in the excise policy cases being probed by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

During the hearing, Raju said if a person of the rank of deputy chief minister and holding 18 portfolios, including that of the excise department, accepts a bribe then a proper example needs to be set.

"Just have a look at the role of this person. The consumers have been deprived of their money due to the policy changes. There are WhatsApp chats and other communications to show conspiracy of money laundering," Raju said while summarising his arguments on why Sisodia should not be granted bail.

He also claimed that there was sufficient material to show the offence of money laundering and to buttress the allegation of Sisodia having tampered with evidence by destroying his mobile phones, grounds that are sufficient for denial of bail.

The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on Tuesday.

Former deputy CM was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the 'scam'. 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.