New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted relief to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia by relaxing a key bail condition in the Delhi excise policy matter.
A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan removed the requirement for Sisodia to mark his attendance before the investigating officer every Monday and Thursday. This condition had been imposed in corruption and money laundering cases related to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.
While deleting the condition, the Court emphasised that Sisodia must attend trial proceedings without fail.
“The application to relax the condition requiring the applicant to visit the police station twice a week is allowed. We hold that the condition is not needed and, therefore, deleted. However, the applicant shall regularly attend the trial,” the Bench stated in its order.
In August 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to Sisodia in cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Court observed that the prolonged delay in the trial violated Sisodia’s right to a speedy trial, a cornerstone of liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The initial bail was subject to several conditions, including furnishing bail bonds of Rs 10,00,000 with two sureties of the same amount. Surrendering his passport and reporting to the investigating officer every Monday and Thursday.
Sisodia had sought relaxation of the third condition, which the Court granted.
Sisodia had been in custody from February 26, 2023, until his release on bail in August 2024.
The case involves allegations of irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, including claims that it was altered to benefit certain liquor vendors in return for bribes, which were allegedly used to fund AAP’s election campaign in Goa.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, along with advocates Vivek Jain, Mohd Irshad, Suchitra Kumbhat, Amit Bhandari, Rajat Jain, and Sadiq Noor, represented Sisodia in the matter.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for the ED.
UNI/