In a continuing saga of legal setbacks, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, faced another blow as his bail plea was rejected once again in the Delhi Liquor Policy case. Detained for over 14 months in Tihar Jail, Sisodia has seen his plea for bail dismissed by the Rouse Avenue Court on grounds of potentially tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses due to his alleged central role in the scandal.
Sisodia’s legal team sought bail citing delays in the trial proceedings. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed the bail, labeling him as the ‘kingpin’ of the liquor policy scam. The court had reserved its decision after hearing the arguments on April 20 and pronounced the judgment on Tuesday, April 30.
This marks the third rejection of Sisodia’s bail plea; previous applications were turned down by lower courts, the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court. Following the recent rejection, Sisodia’s legal counsel announced plans to challenge the decision in the High Court.
Manish Sisodia, who also managed the excise department during his tenure as Deputy CM, is considered a prime suspect in the alleged scam. The case has seen multiple arrests, including that of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, businessperson Vijay Nair, and other associates. The scam first came to light in February 2023, leading to Sisodia’s arrest by the CBI and subsequent charges of money laundering brought by the ED.
The enforcement agencies contend that if released, Sisodia could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation. His continued detention reflects the gravity of the accusations and the complexities involved in the case.
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The scandal has ensnared several high-profile names, including AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and entrepreneur Abhishek Boinpalli, among others. The latest developments follow the release of Sanjay Singh on bail after six months in custody. BRS leader K. Kavitha, daughter of KCR, has also been implicated in the case, highlighting the widespread nature of the alleged corruption.
