Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, sought an ‘interim bail’ in the ED probe into excise policy case on account of his wife’s illness. Though the Delhi High Court denied the bail but allowed him to meet his wife for a day ‘in custody’.
Allegations against Sisodia extremely serious
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said, “The court while dealing with such applications always is in a dilemma. On one hand, there are pressing humanitarian issues and at the same time, there are serious issues which go to the core of the administration of justice. The allegations in the present case are extremely serious in nature. Though this court does not allow itself to get influenced or overawed by the gravity of allegations, but, at the same time, this court cannot forget the positions being held by the petitioner in the present dispensation and the nature of the case.”
Too difficult to give bail: HC
After taking into accounts all the circumstances the high court said it seems “very difficult to persuade itself to release the petitioner on interim bail for six weeks”. But it allowed Sisodia to meet his wife for a day.
Petition not to meet any media
The High Court said, “For one day, as per the convenience of Seema Sisodia, the petitioner be taken to his residence/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 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 there should not be any media gathering near… his residence or hospital… The petitioner shall also not use any phone or internet.”
Sisodia arrested by CBI on 26 February
Manish Sisodia was arrested by CBI on 26 February for alleged corruption and laundering money in now scrapped Delhi Excise Policy case.
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