Delhi Court Denies Regular Bail To Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia In Liquor Policy Case

Manish Sisodia Denied Bail: Delhi's Rouse Avenue court dismissed Manish Sisodia's bail plea in the Delhi Liquor policy case amid ongoing investigations by the CBI and ED.

Manish Sisodia Denied Bail: File photo of Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

Manish Sisodia Denied Bail: The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has dismissed the second regular bail application of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in the Delhi Liquor policy case after both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed his bail plea. Sisodia, who has been in custody since February 2023, had sought bail citing delays in the trial. His earlier application had also been dismissed by the court last year.

Following the dismissal, Sisodia will approach the Delhi High Court. His bail application pertains to cases being investigated by both the CBI and the ED.

During the court proceedings before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, Special counsel Zoheb Hossain and prosecutor Pankaj Gupta represented the ED and CBI, respectively.

Gupta, opposing the bail pleas, highlighted that Sisodia does not meet the requirements for bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), news agency IANS reported. He argued, "Sisodia does not satisfy the rigours of grant of bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act." Gupta further emphasised concerns about Sisodia's potential tampering with evidence and his political influence.

Gupta stated, "The central probe agency accused Sisodia of being a main accused in the case and said that he might tamper with the evidence of the probe, which is at a nascent stage on certain key aspects", as quoted by IANS. He also referenced previous instances where Sisodia's bail requests were denied by higher courts.

Manish Sisodia's Judicial Custody Has Been Extended Until May 2 in ED Case, May 7 In CBI Case

Sisodia's bail application has been pending since February, and his judicial custody has been extended until May 2 in connection with a money laundering case being probed by the ED related to the alleged excise policy scam. The same court also extended Sisodia's judicial custody till May 7 in the matter being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Previously, the ED had argued that Sisodia and other accused individuals were causing delays in the trial.

In defense, Sisodia's counsel Mohit Mathur argued for bail, citing the example of another accused, Benoy Babu, who was granted bail. Mathur stressed that Sisodia no longer holds a position of influence and urged for a speedy trial. According to IANS, Mathur reiterated, "Sisodia's eligibility for bail is established, given the fulfilment of all necessary conditions and the absence of any misuse of liberties, as per the Supreme Court's guidelines."