On Friday evening, AAP leader Manish Sisodia was released from Tihar Jail after nearly 18 months of incarceration. The former Deputy Chief Minister was granted bail by the Supreme Court earlier in the day in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. His release was met with cheers and celebration from a large crowd of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters.
After walking out of Tihar Jail, Manish Sisodia, who had held multiple key portfolios in the Delhi government, including Education, addressed the jubilant crowd. Standing in the rain, he gave a short but heartfelt speech, expressing his gratitude: “Ever since this order came in the morning, every inch of my skin has been feeling indebted to Babasaheb (Ambedkar). I don’t understand how (I) will pay this debt to Babasaheb…”
Manish Sisodia came out of Tihar Jail. Today, the Supreme Court has granted him bail in the CBI and Enforcement Directorate case related to the excise policy.
First, Sisodia will go to the Chief Minister’s residence and meet Sunita Kejriwal and then go to his home. pic.twitter.com/jnx4UpVNTx
— Jitender Singh (@jitenderkhalsa) August 9, 2024
Following his release, Manish Sisodia headed straight to the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who himself was arrested in March by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the same case. While Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail in the case filed by the ED, he remains in custody on charges filed by the CBI.
Supreme Court’s Scathing Remarks
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court made powerful observations while granting bail to Manish Sisodia. The court called his prolonged incarceration a “travesty of justice” and criticized the lower courts for not addressing the violation of his right to liberty.
पिछले 17 महीनों से दिल्ली और देश का एक-एक बच्चा भावनात्मक रूप से मेरे साथ ही था। मैं हर पल बच्चों के बारे में ही सोचता रहा। मैं आपके प्यार, ईश्वर के आशीर्वाद और सत्य की शक्ति के कारण जेल से बाहर आया हूँ।
आज मैं माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट का दिल से धन्यवाद करता हूं, जिन्होंने संविधान… pic.twitter.com/wsHrxVqzoF
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) August 9, 2024
The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, emphasized that a citizen’s right to life and liberty, as enshrined in the Constitution, should not be compromised.
ALSO READ: ‘Right to liberty sacrosanct’: Supreme Court raps lower court while granting bail to Manish Sisodia in excise policy case
“In a matter pertaining to the life and liberty of a citizen—which is one of the most sacrosanct rights guaranteed by the Constitution—a citizen cannot be made to run from pillar to post,” the bench stated. They also criticized the handling of Sisodia’s case, noting that he should not have been forced to struggle so much just to secure bail.
Reactions from AAP Leaders
AAP leaders have hailed Sisodia’s release as a “victory of truth.” Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha expressed the party’s joy on social media, declaring that “the entire country is happy today as Manish Sisodia, hero of the Delhi education revolution, got bail.” Sanjay Singh, who was also arrested in the case and later granted bail by the Supreme Court, commented, “This verdict is a slap on Centre’s dictatorship. He was in jail for 17 months. His life was destroyed in those months. He could have worked for the education of children in that time.”
ALSO READ: Watch: Delhi minister Atishi wells up while talking about Manish Sisodia
Delhi Education Minister Atishi simply posted, “Satyamev Jayate” on social media, emphasizing the party’s belief in the triumph of truth.
Conditions and Court’s Warning
While granting bail, the Supreme Court also imposed several conditions on Sisodia. He was required to surrender his passport and report to the Investigating Officer every Monday. The court warned that any attempt to tamper with evidence would result in his return to jail. The court also noted that the case involved 493 witnesses and that there was little chance of the trial concluding in the near future.
In summary, Sisodia’s release marks a significant moment for the AAP and its supporters, who view it as a vindication of their leader’s innocence and the values they stand for.
