Supreme Court Seeks Replies from CBI, ED on Manish Sisodia’s Bail Petitions

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the bail petitions of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia. Sisodia was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. His legal team filed pleas to revive his bail applications in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the excise policy, initially filed by the CBI and ED. Sisodia’s lawyer argued for his release on bail, citing his 16-month-long incarceration.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for alleged corruption in the Delhi excise policy case, followed by his arrest by the ED on March 9, 2023, on money laundering charges stemming from the CBI FIR. He resigned from the Delhi Cabinet on February 28, 2023. A new bench of Justices BR Gavai, Sanjay Karol, and KV Viswanathan took up the matter after Justice Sanjay Kumar recused himself from the case. On June 4, the Supreme Court previously refused to entertain Sisodia’s bail pleas, allowing him to revive his petitions after the ED and CBI filed their final prosecution complaint and charge sheet, respectively.

In October of last year, the Supreme Court denied Sisodia bail, citing evidence that tentatively supported accusations of “windfall gains” of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers. However, the Court granted Sisodia the liberty to seek relief if circumstances changed. On Monday, a Delhi court extended Sisodia’s judicial custody until July 22 in the ongoing corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

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