HC rejects bail of Manish Sisodia

NEW DELHI: In a major setback to AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected his bail plea in the excise policy case, noting that his conduct amounts to a “great betrayal of democratic principles”.

“The case exemplifies grave abuse of public authority by Sisodia. The prosecution establishes, prima facie, a case of money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against him,” said Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in her order, while rejecting the bail plea of Sisodia.

Severely castigating the AAP leader for framing a policy to enrich private persons, the HC, in its order, said, “Sisodia used deceptive methods to show that the Delhi excise policy had public support but, in reality, the policy was framed to enrich a few individuals. This constitutes a form of corruption.”

Sisodia had sought bail in cases being investigated by the CBI and ED in the Delhi liquor case.

This was the second bail plea moved by Sisodia, who has been in custody since February 26, 2023, after his arrest by the CBI. Thereafter, he was arrested by the ED on March 9, 2023.

While rejecting his bail, Justice Sharma said that the case involves great misuse of power and breach of public trust by Sisodia.

Referring to the damage allegedly caused by Sisodia to two of his mobile phones, the HC observed that he indulged in acts of destruction of crucial evidence, including electronic evidence.

Taking into record the fact that Sisodia was holding an important position in the Delhi government and handling multiple portfolios and that he being a senior leader of AAP is an influential person, the HC rejected his bail.

“This court is of the opinion that the petitioner (Sisodia) has not been able to make out a case for grant of bail in his favour,” the HC said in its order.

The judge had heard the detailed arguments from the ED, CBI and Sisodia and reserved its verdict on May 14.

During the course of the hearing, the ED had argued that it would make the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) an accused in the next prosecution complaint (charge sheet) in the money laundering case stemming out of the Delhi excise policy case.

Both the probe agencies — ED and CBI — have opposed Sisodia’s bail pleas on the grounds that there are concerted efforts by him to delay the process of framing charges in the case. “He should not be granted bail at this stage,” the ED said.

Opposing the submissions of the CBI and ED, Sisodia had told the HC that both the probe agencies were still arresting people in the money laundering and corruption case and there is no question of early conclusion of the trial. “I thereby should be released bail on this ground,” he submitted to the court.