LI Network
Published on: 15 September 2023 at 13:11 IST
The Supreme Court has decided to postpone the hearing on the bail applications of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in two Delhi excise policy cases currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The hearing is now scheduled for October 4, following a request made by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who is representing Sisodia, stating that he requires two to three hours to present the case.
“Although I am in jail, we (both sides) have agreed. The hearing will take 2-3 hours at least on my side. This matter requires urgent attention,” Singhvi stated during the proceedings.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju supported Singhvi’s request.
On July 14, the Supreme Court had sought responses from the CBI and the ED regarding Sisodia’s interim bail pleas in these cases. Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister who held the excise portfolio, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged involvement in the “scam” and has been in custody since.
The ED later arrested him on March 9 in connection with a money laundering case related to the CBI’s FIR. Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28.
The high court had previously denied him bail in the CBI case, citing his high-profile status and potential influence over witnesses. On July 3, the high court also declined his bail in the money laundering case, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges against him.
In its May 30 order, the high court noted that since Sisodia was in a leadership position when the alleged scam occurred, he cannot disassociate himself from it. Given his continued influence due to his party’s position in the national capital and the mostly public servant witnesses, the high court expressed concerns about possible witness tampering.
According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities occurred during the modification of the excise policy, and undue favors were granted to license holders.
The Delhi government initially implemented the policy on November 17, 2021, but later revoked it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.
