Excise policy: Delhi HC likely to pronounce verdict on Manish Sisodia’s bail pleas in CBI, ED cases today
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court is likely to decide bail pleas of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in corruption and money laundering cases related to alleged excise policy scam today.
High Court reserved verdict on Sisodia’s bail pleas on May 10
The matter is listed before a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who had on May 10 reserved verdict on Sisodia’s bail pleas in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases after hearing arguments from Sisodia and central investigating agencies.
Sisodia has challenged April 30 trial court order rejecting his bail pleas in CBI and ED cases.
This is second round of bail pleas filed by Sisodia
This is the second round of bail pleas filed by the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister. Earlier, the trial court dismissed his bail pleas in both cases. The order of the trial court was upheld by the High Court. The Supreme Court also upheld the High Court order in October last year, however, the top court granted Sisodia liberty to move the trial court and file a fresh bail application in next three months if there is a change of circumstances or trial in the cases are protracted and proceeds at a snail’s pace.
Sisodia moved the trial court again seeking bail in both – CBI and ED – cases, however, the trial court rejecting his pleas for bail, following which he moved the High Court challenging the trial court order.
CBI, ED opposed Sisodia’s pleas seeking bail in corruption, money laundering cases
Sisodia urged the High Court to grant him bail in both cases, submitting that he has been in judicial custody for over 14 months and investigation in the cases is still proceeding and the central investigating agencies agencies are still arresting people in the ED and CBI cases and there is no question of early conclusion of the trial.
The CBI and ED opposed the bail pleas of Sisodia and accused him and co-accused of filing multiple applications with the intention of delaying the trial and the process of framing of charges in the case. The CBI and ED also told the High Court that Sisodia is a powerful man and his party, AAP, is in power in Delhi and he can tamper with evidence and pressurise the bureaucrats if he is released on bail.
CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26 last year
CBI arrested Sisodia in the corruption case on February 26 last year and later he was also arrested by the ED in the money laundering case from Tihar Jail on March 9 last year.
The central investigating agencies have alleged that Sisodia played a key role in tweaking the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy to extend undue favours to license holders.