HC Denies Sisodia’s Interim Bail Request But Allows Him To Be With His Ailing Wife For a Day

The Delhi High Court has denied the former deputy chief minister and AAP (Aam  Aadmi Party) leader Manish Sisodia who was arrested by the ED in the excide policy case, the six-week interim bail that Sisodia had sought on account of his ailing wife.

According to a single-judge bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, he observed, ” The court, while dealing with such applications, is always in a dilemma… on the one hand, there are pressing humanitarian issues…the allegations in the present case are extremely serious in nature. Though this court does not allow itself to get influenced…by the gravity of the allegations but at the same time the court cannot forget the position being held by the petitioner in the present dispensation…”

“Very difficult to release Sisodia”

Also, the HC said that while deciding Ex-Deputy CM’s regular bail plea in the CBI case on May 30, it had noted: “There is a possibility of tampering and influencing of witnesses if the petitioner is released on bail”. The court observed that in the “totality of the facts and circumstances”, it finds it “very difficult to release” Sisodia on interim bail.

HC allows Sisodia to meet his ailing wife for ‘one day’

In the verdict, Justice Sharma also directed, ” However, at the same time, this court feels that the petitioner should get an opportunity to meet his wife. Therefore ‘one day’ as per the convenience of Mrs Seema Sisodia, the petitioner be taken to his residence or the hospital if she is admitted to the hospital from 10 am to 5 pm in custody. However, during this period, the petitioner shall not interact with the media in any manner, nor shall he meet anybody except his wife or members of his family. The commissioner of Delhi Police is also directed to ensure that there should not be any media gathering near the vicinity of his residence or the hospital where he is taken. The petitioner shall not use any phone or internet.”

Also Read: Army Chief Pande Meets Bangladeshi Counterpart, Discusses Bilateral Defence Ties

Sisodia’s wife is in stable condition

Noting Sisodia’s wife’s health conditions, the court said was admitted to the LNJP Hospital on June 3, pursuant to which it called for a medical report. It said the medical report concludes that her “general condition is stable” but she requires “close monitoring” according to the neurologist.

“This court has always been of a very firm view that the patient who is in need of medical attention must be provided immediate and effective medical treatment. This court has also taken note of the serious degenerative disease from which…wife of the petitioner has been suffering…This court as the guardian of the administration of justice would suggest that Mrs Seema Sisodia be examined by a board of doctors to be constituted by the medical superintendent at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences…Mrs Seema Sisodia or members of the family may contact the office of MS AIIMS for the medical examination,” Justice Sharma said.

Further, the Delhi High Court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the medical superintendent of AIIMS for “constituting a board for detailed medical examination and treatment” of Sisodia’s wife, further calling for a report on it. The court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the police commissioner for necessary compliance.