In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Friday in connection with the contentious excise policy case. The bail was sanctioned by a bench led by Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, who outlined specific conditions for Sisodia’s release, including the surrender of his passport and a strict prohibition against influencing witnesses.
This ruling follows Sisodia’s appeal against the Delhi High Court’s previous rejection of his bail plea in cases investigated by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the investigation agencies, voiced concerns over potential witness tampering and presented evidence suggesting that Sisodia had destroyed phone records. The prosecution further accused the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister of deliberately filing irrelevant applications to stall the trial process.
Senior Advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Sisodia, argued that his client had already been in custody for 17 months, nearly half of the minimum sentence for the alleged crimes. Singhvi also dismissed allegations regarding profit margins, emphasizing that the cabinet decisions were made after extensive consultations with various officials, including the then Lieutenant Governor.
Singhvi also highlighted Sisodia’s substantial responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister, overseeing 18 portfolios, and being integral to all cabinet decisions. He added that there is evidence pointing to his involvement.
Earlier, on June 4, the Supreme Court granted Sisodia the option to renew his plea after the final charge sheet is filed.
Manish Sisodia was arrested in February 2023 by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of Delhi’s now-scrapped excise policy, which was withdrawn amid opposition allegations of corruption. The CBI claims that Sisodia played a central role in the criminal conspiracy surrounding the policy, deeply influencing its creation and implementation to further the conspiracy’s objectives. Sisodia remains in judicial custody.