Supreme Court Postpones Manish Sisodia’s Interim Bail Plea Hearing
The Supreme Court, with Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti presiding, has adjourned the hearing on the interim bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, to October 4. Sisodia, a prominent figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is currently detained over allegations of corruption and money laundering related to a previously annulled excise policy in Delhi.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating,
“We have agreed, even though [Sisodia] is in jail. The hearing will take two to three hours at least, on my side. Your Lordships will have to give one day for this. We are in urgency. Can Your Lordships accommodate us on October 4? This is a matter requiring your urgent attention.”
Singhvi also voiced concerns about media outlets frequently discussing the case’s merits, hinting at potential media trials. He pointed out,
“Every day when the matter is listed or some other matter, there is an article in the newspaper talking of the merits. The next court is considering how to have media guidelines about sub judice matters. I’m making a mapping chart. On the right column is Your Lordship’s date, and on the left, is the publication. I’m making this chart.”
In response, Justice Khanna remarked,
“This does not affect us. We have to get used to it.”
The core of this case revolves around an excise policy introduced by the Delhi Government in 2021, aiming to fully privatize the liquor trade in Delhi. However, it was later withdrawn due to allegations of irregularities. Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) have claimed that this policy was manipulated to favor private entities, causing losses to the public exchequer.
Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI on February 26 concerning the excise policy and was subsequently taken into custody by the ED on March 9. The CBI’s FIR alleges that Sisodia played a pivotal role in “recommending” and “taking decisions” related to the 2021-22 excise policy
“without the approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensee post tender.”
The ED, meanwhile, suggests that the policy was part of a larger conspiracy to grant undue profits to specific private companies.
Both the CBI and ED’s investigations led to the arrest of several individuals, including Sisodia. After his bail applications in both cases were denied by the Delhi High Court, Sisodia has since approached the Supreme Court to challenge these decisions.
