Supreme Court to hear Manish Sisodia's bail plea in Delhi excise policy case on July 14
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on July 14 a bail plea by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy irregularities case.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud fixed the matter for consideration on Friday (July 14) upon a mentioning made by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Sisodia sought bail on ground of wife's ill health and hospitalisation.
Initially, the court was inclined to fix Sisodia's bail application for hearing on July 17. However, upon a request by Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, the court agreed to hear the plea on July 14.
Sisodia had moved the Supreme Court against the denial of bail to him in two separate cases lodged by the two probe agencies - Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) - in the Delhi liquor scam case.
Sisodia was arrested on February 26, 2023.
According to his plea, charge sheet by the CBI and complaints by the ED in the matter already stood filed after investigation and hence there was no necessity or requirement for Sisodia to remain in jail.
"There is no documentary evidence or even an allegation that any of the alleged kickbacks/bribe were paid to or received by the Manish Sisodia. There also no evidence or material produced to show any demand or receipt of bribe by the Manish Sisodia. Nothing incriminating was found during the raids and house-search of Manish Sisodia. It is completely a false and fabricated case," his plea said.
It also contended his bail was rejected on the ground that he is a high profile person and has a potential to influence witnesses some of whom are public servants.
"There is absolutely no material placed on record by the CBI/ED to show that Sisodia tried to influence any witness while he was not arrested," it said.
The plea also claimed the ED failed to show that Sisodia is involved in any of the activity or process relating to proceeds of crime which is mandatory to prosecute his under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
"There is no evidence at all that Sisodia is involved in concealment, possession, acquisition or use of proceeds of crime. There is no evidence at all that Sisodia was part of any alleged money trail. Excise Policy was made transparently after deliberation with various officers/secretaries of Departments, Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor," it said.