The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the money laundering and corruption cases related to the alleged liquor scam case. This decision contrasts with the interim bail granted to AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh.
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma highlighted the destruction of crucial evidence by Manish Sisodia, including electronic evidence, and emphasised his influential position within the Delhi government.
Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader who held 18 portfolios at the time of his arrest, was accused of using deceptive methods to create an illusion of public support for the Delhi liquor policy. The policy, enacted in 2021, aimed to liberalise the sale of liquor and relinquish a lucrative government stake in the sector but was withdrawn the following year due to corruption allegations.
The Delhi High Court concluded that Manish Sisodia failed to make a case for bail. It noted that the liquor policy was purportedly designed to benefit a select few, constituting corruption. The AAP expressed its disagreement with the decision and announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court for “justice” for Manish Sisodia.
Manish Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, in connection with the liquor policy case and subsequently by the ED on March 9, 2023, for money laundering. His bail petitions were previously denied by the trial court, leading to the current appeal before the High Court. The High Court reserved its order on May 14 after hearing arguments from the AAP leader, the CBI, and the ED.
The rejection of Sisodia’s bail has significant implications, especially given the backdrop of the alleged liquor scam probe, which has already seen the incarceration of two top AAP leaders and has stirred political controversies within Delhi’s governance and beyond.
Read all the World News, Business News, Sports News, Entertainment News, Business News and Opinion here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
