On Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court, however, mentioned that Sisodia could reapply for bail after the ED and CBI submit their final prosecution complaint and charge sheet, respectively. A prosecution complaint by the ED is equivalent to a charge sheet.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta heard the submissions from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED and CBI. Mehta assured the court that both agencies would file their final documents by July 3.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sisodia, argued for his bail, stating that Sisodia has been in custody for nearly 15 months and the trial has not yet begun. Singhvi highlighted that the trial is unlikely to start soon as investigations are still ongoing.
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Sisodia had approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his bail pleas on May 21. The High Court ruled against him, citing serious allegations of misuse of power and breach of public trust.
Previously, on April 30, a trial court had also rejected Sisodia’s bail applications. The cases involve alleged irregularities in the creation and implementation of the now-canceled Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy case. Following this, the ED arrested him on March 9, 2023, in a money laundering case related to the CBI’s FIR. He resigned from his position as Delhi’s deputy chief minister on February 28, 2023.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant setback for Sisodia, who remains in custody while the investigations and legal processes continue.
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