Delhi liquor policy case: Supreme Court rejects Manish Sisodia's bail petitions

Delhi liquor policy case:  The Supreme Court has dismissed bail applications by AAP leader Manish Sisodia in corruption and money-laundering cases related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.

In a significant setback to former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, the Supreme Court has denied his bail pleas in cases of corruption and money laundering linked to the alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi's excise policy, which has since been scrapped.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, who had previously reserved their judgment on two separate bail requests from Sisodia, delivered their decision.

The bench noted that there is tentative evidence regarding the transfer of Rs 338 crore and added, "We have, therefore, rejected the bail applications."

Nonetheless, the court indicated that the prosecution has assured that the trial will be completed within six to eight months. It stated, "So, if the trial progresses slowly or sluggishly within three months, he [Sisodia] will have the right to file a bail application."

With Sisodia's bail applications being dismissed, sources within the Enforcement Directorate (ED) suggested that this decision implies that the top court has accepted the investigative agency's arguments and evidence against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader.

During the October 17 hearing, the Supreme Court informed the ED that if a bribe, allegedly paid to influence the Delhi excise policy, does not form part of the predicate offense, it would be challenging to establish a money-laundering case against Sisodia. The court advised the federal agency not to rely on assumptions of bribery and to ensure compliance with legal safeguards.

Manish Sisodia was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 over his purported involvement in the "scam." He has been detained since that time.

The ED arrested Sisodia on March 9 in a money-laundering case linked to the CBI's First Information Report (FIR), following questioning at Tihar jail.

Both investigative agencies have alleged that the new policy promoted cartelization and favored ineligible candidates for liquor licenses in exchange for financial benefits. However, the Delhi government and Sisodia have denied any wrongdoing, contending that the new policy would have boosted revenue sharing.

- With inputs from agencies

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