NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its decision on the regular bail requests filed by former deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Manish Sisodia, in connection to corruption and money laundering cases related to the Delhi excise policy 'scam'.
A panel of Judges, Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, reserved their judgment on two separate bail petitions presented by Sisodia. This came after hearing arguments from his legal counsel, Abhishek Singhvi, and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who represented the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Sisodia was taken into custody by the CBI on February 26 in connection to his alleged involvement in the 'scam,' and he has remained in custody since then.
Following his questioning in Tihar Jail, the ED arrested Sisodia on March 9, connecting him to a money laundering case associated with the CBI's First Information Report (FIR).
On February 28, Sisodia stepped down from his position in the Delhi cabinet.
On May 30, the high court rejected his bail application in the CBI case, justifying its decision by describing Sisodia as a "high-profile" individual who, having served as the deputy chief minister and excise minister, could potentially influence witnesses.
In a similar vein, on July 3, the high court denied him bail in the money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the city government's excise policy, emphasizing the gravity of the charges against him.
The Delhi government had initially implemented the excise policy on November 17, 2021, but discontinued it at the close of September 2022, amid allegations of corruption.
(With agency inputs)
