In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India is set to hear the bail plea of Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, on July 14. Sisodia has been arrested in connection with the Delhi Excise Scam case.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, seeking an urgent listing. Singhvi cited the ill health of Sisodia’s wife as a reason for the urgency.
Responding to the request, the CJI directed, “List on July 14.”
Sisodia finds himself in the midst of a controversy surrounding the excise policy scam case. He approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court denied him bail in cases registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
On July 3, the Delhi High Court had refused Sisodia’s bail plea in the ED case. Prior to this, the court had also rejected his bail plea in the CBI case related to the same scam.
The allegations against Sisodia suggest that Delhi government officials colluded to grant liquor licenses to specific traders in return for bribes. The central agencies argue that the excise policy was manipulated and profit margins altered to favor certain traders, with kickbacks received in return.
The ED and CBI initiated cases related to the alleged scam after Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe. This recommendation was based on a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary, which claimed that Sisodia violated statutory provisions and notified a policy with significant financial implications.
Sisodia, who was not initially named in the CBI’s chargesheet, was later included as an accused in an additional chargesheet filed by the CBI. Sisodia maintains that the policy changes were approved by the LG and argues that the CBI is now targeting the policy decisions of an elected government.
Sisodia asserts that no money has been traced back to him and that the agencies are re-evaluating a liquor policy formulated by the elected government and approved by the LG of Delhi.
In the order denying Sisodia’s bail in the ED case, the High Court noted that the allegations against Sisodia are very serious. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma stated that the case required a different approach due to the alleged deep-rooted conspiracy involving a significant loss of public funds. He further noted that the excise policy case is unique and peculiar, with allegations that the Deputy Chief Minister framed a policy at the behest of outsiders who were set to benefit from it.