May 2nd 2024.
Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister and a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, has taken the Delhi High Court by storm with his challenge against a trial court's decision to deny him regular bail in cases related to the excise policy. This comes after Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court rejected his request for bail for the second time on April 30. In an urgent move, Sisodia's lawyer, Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, brought the case before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora on Thursday. The bench has agreed to hear the matter on Friday, provided all necessary documents are submitted by 12.30 p.m. on Thursday.
During the trial court's ruling, it was stated that the delays in the case were primarily due to Sisodia's own actions, dismissing his claims of undue delay. The prosecutor representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Pankaj Gupta, argued that Sisodia did not meet the criteria for bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and that his political influence made him ineligible for parity. The CBI also accused Sisodia of being the main accused in the case and expressed concerns that he may tamper with the evidence, as the investigation is still in its early stages.
Gupta further pointed out that Sisodia had been denied bail by both the High Court and the Supreme Court in the past, and if he were to be granted bail now, it would only serve his own motives. Sisodia's bail application has been pending since February, and his judicial custody has been extended in both cases. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also argued that Sisodia and other accused persons were causing delays in the trial. However, Sisodia's counsel, Mohit Mathur, argued for bail, citing the case of another accused, Benoy Babu, who had been granted bail and no longer held a position of influence.
Mathur also emphasized that Sisodia met the triple test for bail, as outlined by the Supreme Court, and urged for a speedy trial. He stated that Sisodia fulfilled all necessary conditions for bail and did not misuse his liberties, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Supreme Court. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Sisodia will be granted regular bail and the impact it will have on the ongoing investigation.
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