New Delhi, Aug 6: The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on the bail pleas of senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case on Tuesday. Justice BR Gavai presided over the Bench that reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both sides. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju represented the central agencies, while senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Sisodia.
On Monday, the CBI and the ED informed the apex court that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had demanded a Rs 100 crore bribe for the Goa elections. Out of this amount, investigators have traced Rs 45 crore. ASG Raju stated, “A Rs 100 crore bribe was demanded for the Goa elections. We have traced Rs 45 crore. We have digital evidence and substantial proof.”
Raju emphasized that Sisodia, who oversaw the excise department of the Delhi government, along with co-accused Vijay Nair, orchestrated the kickbacks. “They aimed to profit from this scheme. There is evidence showing that Sisodia engineered emails and instructed interns to draft specific types of emails,” Raju added.
Defense Cites Delays in Trial and Severe Medical Condition of Sisodia’s Wife
In contrast, Singhvi argued that Sisodia had been in custody for 17 months and deserved bail due to the trial’s delays. He also requested interim bail, citing the severe medical condition of Sisodia’s wife, describing her as “virtually like a vegetable.”
The Supreme Court had denied bail to Sisodia in its judgment on October 30 last year but allowed him to reapply if the trial faced delays over the next three months. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court denied Sisodia regular bail on April 30. The trial court noted that delays were mainly due to Sisodia’s actions, dismissing his claims of undue delay.
The Delhi High Court also denied bail to Sisodia, stating he failed the triple test for bail in the corruption case and the twin conditions required under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Challenging this, Sisodia filed special leave petitions before the Supreme Court. Last month, the apex court disposed of his pleas for bail after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that the final charge sheet in the liquor policy case would be filed by July 3.
Meanwhile, a court extended Sisodia’s judicial custody until August 9 in the CBI case and until August 13 in the money laundering case. Sisodia appeared via video conferencing from Tihar Jail upon the expiration of his previous judicial custody.
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