New Delhi. The Supreme Court is going to pronounce its verdict on the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday, August 09. Sisodia was arrested in corruption and money laundering cases in the alleged scam related to the Delhi Excise Policy, and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. According to the cause list uploaded on the official website of the Supreme Court, a bench of Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. V. Vishwanathan will pronounce the verdict in this case tomorrow. This bench had reserved its decision on Sisodia’s bail petitions on August 06.
#SupremeCourt to pronounce judgment today on Manish Sisodia’s bail pleas in the ED & CBI cases over the liquor policy case.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan will deliver the judgment at 10.30 AM.
Follow the thread for live updates. pic.twitter.com/T8euKFmOzP
— LiveLaw (@LiveLawIndia) August 9, 2024
Round of arguments in court
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, presented arguments for his release before the court. He said that Sisodia has been in custody for the last 17 months, but the trial against him has not yet started. On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), strongly opposed his bail plea.
ED and CBI allegations
The CBI and ED claim that they have solid documents and evidence that prove Sisodia’s deep involvement in the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam. The ED says that they have evidence that shows that Sisodia was playing a key role in the scam. The agencies also argued before the court that if Sisodia is granted bail, it could affect the investigation.
Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on 26 February 2023 in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy. Subsequently, on 09 March 2023, the Enforcement Directorate also arrested him in a money laundering case. Due to these allegations, Sisodia resigned from the Delhi Government Cabinet on 28 February 2023.
Now all eyes are on the decision of the Supreme Court, which will decide whether Sisodia will get bail or he will have to remain in jail. This decision also has great political and legal importance, as it can be a turning point for Delhi politics and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).