Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody Of Manish Sisodia Till 6 July

A Delhi court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia until 6 July.

Sisodia is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged excise policy scam.

This development comes shortly after the Delhi High Court denied bail to Sisodia in the case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who presided over the bench, stated that Sisodia failed to meet the triple test for bail in corruption cases and did not satisfy the twin conditions required under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Despite denying bail, the High Court maintained that Sisodia could continue to visit his ailing wife weekly, under the same conditions previously set by the trial court.

Earlier in March, the Supreme Court also dismissed curative petitions filed by Sisodia.

These petitions challenged the dismissal of review pleas against the 2023 verdict that denied him bail in the same liquor policy case.

The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered on October 30, 2023, denied bail but allowed Sisodia to reapply if the trial experienced significant delays over the following three months.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court had refused to grant regular bail to Sisodia on April 30, marking the second such denial.

The trial court noted that delays in the proceedings were largely due to Sisodia’s own actions, countering his claims of undue delay.

The excise policy scam involves allegations of irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s liquor policy, which has led to a significant political and legal controversy.

Sisodia, a key figure in the AAP government, has faced multiple legal challenges since the investigation began.

Background Of The Case:

The excise policy scam pertains to alleged corruption and procedural lapses in the drafting and execution of the excise policy in Delhi.

The CBI’s investigation has focused on whether the policy was manipulated to favor certain private entities, leading to substantial financial gains at the expense of public revenue.

Case So Far:

• October 30, 2023: The Supreme Court denied bail to Sisodia but allowed the possibility of reapplication if the trial faced significant delays.
• March 2024: The Supreme Court dismissed Sisodia’s curative petitions.
• April 30, 2024: Special Judge Kaveri Baweja denied Sisodia’s request for regular bail, attributing delays in the trial to Sisodia himself.
• May 2024: The Delhi High Court denied bail, citing failure to meet the criteria under the PMLA and the triple test for bail in corruption cases.

Manish Sisodia remains in judicial custody as investigations continue. His next court appearance is scheduled for 6 July. Sisodia’s legal team will continue pursuing bail, arguing against the procedural delays cited by the courts.

The case remains a significant point of contention in Delhi politics, with implications for both the AAP’s governance and its political strategies moving forward.

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