SC to pronounce verdict on Manish Sisodia's bail pleas today
The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict Friday on the bail applications of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy case. The decision will be announced by a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan at 10:30am. This development comes over 16 months after Sisodia's arrest in February 2023, with trials in both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate cases yet to commence.
Sisodia's third attempt at securing bail
This is Sisodia's third attempt to secure bail from the apex court, following his arrest by the CBI in February 2023, and subsequently by the ED a month later for alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy of 2021-22. His previous bail applications were dismissed, with the Supreme Court permitting him to renew his bail plea if the trial does not conclude within six to eight months or proceeds slowly.
Sisodia's previous bail pleas rejected by Delhi HC
Investigating agencies had contended that Sisodia's petition was not maintainable as he was required to first approach the trial court. However, due to a delay in initiating the trial, Sisodia sought bail again, only to have his plea dismissed by the Delhi High Court on May 21. He then approached the Supreme Court in June when ED informed a vacation bench that it would file its complaint (or charge sheet) by July 3.
Sisodia's right to speedy trial violated, argues his lawyer
During previous hearings, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi— representing Sisodia—argued that by delaying the trial, Sisodia's right to a speedy trial guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution was being violated. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju for the investigating agencies countered that Sisodia had been delaying the trial and was seeking inspection of unreliable documents. The court had expressed serious doubts over the trial's timely conclusion, considering the large number of witnesses and accused listed by the CBI and ED.
What the agencies said
The agencies have alleged that Sisodia and other accused were intimidating witnesses who had turned approvers. Sisodia, who resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023, following his arrest, is currently under investigation by both the CBI and ED for his alleged role in corruption and money laundering. His bail applications in both cases were dismissed by the trial court, which described him as the prima facie architect of the alleged liquor scam.
