The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on August 5 for the bail pleas of AAP leader Manish Sisodia, related to allegations of corruption and money-laundering in the Delhi excise policy scam. The announcement came during a session presided over by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju indicated that while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had responded to Sisodia’s plea, the response had not yet been officially recorded. Raju also mentioned that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would soon file its counter affidavit. He raised preliminary objections to Sisodia’s pleas, noting that this was the second time a special leave petition was filed against the same order from the Delhi High Court.
Previously, the Delhi High Court on May 21 had dismissed Sisodia’s bail requests, which were initially rejected by a trial court on April 30. Sisodia, who was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and subsequently by the ED on March 9, 2023, has been in custody concerning these cases. His arrest led to his resignation from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
In earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court noted that it would not entertain Sisodia’s bail pleas until the ED and the CBI had filed their final prosecution complaints and charge sheets. However, during this latest hearing, the bench recognized that the previously set period for filing had elapsed, thus allowing the case to be considered on its merits.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sisodia, expressed dismay at the prosecutorial arguments, which he found to be “absolutely shocking.” The bench then decided to proceed with a full hearing, bypassing interim stages to expedite the process.
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The Supreme Court has directed that the ED’s counter affidavit be submitted by August 1, with any rejoinders from Sisodia due by August 3. The former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi contends that with his prolonged detention of 16 months and the stalling of the trial since last October, there is substantial grounds for his release on bail.
