New Delhi, August 4, 2023: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant interim bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi excise policy case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court deferred the interim bail pleas till September 4, considering Sisodia’s wife’s health grounds.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, informed the bench about his wife’s medical condition, stating, “It’s a progressive disease. There are relapses. She has been in the hospital since April.” He pleaded that Sisodia be allowed to go home for a few weeks to take care of her.
However, Justice Sanjiv Khanna replied, “We will take it up when we hear the regular bail.”
Sisodia, who held the excise portfolio as the deputy chief minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged involvement in the “scam” and has remained in custody since then. The ED later arrested him in a money laundering case linked to the CBI FIR.
The Delhi High Court had previously denied him bail in both cases, citing the seriousness of the charges and his potential to influence witnesses due to his high-profile position.
According to the investigative agencies, irregularities occurred while modifying the excise policy, and undue favors were extended to license holders. The policy, implemented in November 2021, was scrapped in September 2022 following corruption allegations.
