In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has dismissed the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, in the excise policy case. The decision was pronounced by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma after reserving the judgment on May 11.
The court stated that the allegations against Sisodia were of a serious nature, indicating the formation of the excise policy with mala fide intentions to provide undue advantage to certain groups. Justice Sharma emphasized that such conduct raised concerns about the misconduct of Sisodia, who held a high-ranking position as the Deputy CM of Delhi and was responsible for 18 portfolios. Furthermore, as most of the witnesses in the case were public servants, the court expressed apprehension about the possibility of influencing them if Sisodia were granted bail.
During the court proceedings, Sisodia argued that no evidence of a money trail had been found linking him to the alleged liquor case, and he claimed that the allegations against him were mere conjecture. However, the investigating agency contended that the matter involved a multi-layered conspiracy. Additionally, they accused Sisodia of being evasive during the investigation.
Currently, Sisodia is in judicial custody, facing charges registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The CBI arrested Sisodia for alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, following multiple rounds of questioning. On March 31, his bail plea was also denied by a special judge in the CBI case. Moreover, he is also held in custody in a related money laundering case.
The dismissal of Sisodia’s bail plea by the Delhi High Court highlights the gravity of the allegations against him. The court’s decision indicates its concerns regarding the potential tampering of evidence and the influence that could be exerted on witnesses, given Sisodia’s former position of power. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how this development will impact Sisodia’s case and the political landscape in Delhi.