Supreme Court Issues Notice On Manish Sisodia’s Bail Pleas In Liquor Policy Case

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court has issued a notice regarding the bail applications of senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

A bench led by Justice BR Gavai directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit their responses by 29 July.

Insights:

The bench, which also includes Justices Sanjay Karol and KV Viswanathan, scheduled the next hearing for the bail pleas for two weeks later, stating, “Issue notice returnable on 29 July.”

Sisodia’s legal counsel argued that the former Deputy Chief Minister has been in custody for 16 months, with the trial progressing little since October 2023.

The Supreme Court previously denied Sisodia bail in a ruling issued on 30 October last year, but indicated that he could reapply if the trial did not advance in the next three months.

On 30 April, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court denied Sisodia’s second request for regular bail, citing that delays in the proceedings were primarily due to actions taken by Sisodia himself, thus rejecting his claims of undue delay.

The Delhi High Court also denied bail, stating that Sisodia did not meet the necessary criteria for bail in the corruption case, nor did he fulfill the conditions outlined under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Challenging this, Sisodia has filed special leave petitions with the Supreme Court.

Last month, the apex court dismissed Sisodia’s pleas regarding corruption and money laundering cases after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that prosecutors would submit the final charge sheet in the liquor policy case by 3 July.

Additionally, Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Kumar recused himself from hearing Sisodia’s bail petitions.

The case has since been directed to be listed for a hearing in the week starting 15 July before a different bench, following instructions from the Chief Justice of India.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court extended Sisodia’s judicial custody until 22 July, as ordered by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, in light of the expiry of his previous custody period.

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