New Delhi: Supreme Court has granted bail to Manish Sisodia, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. This ruling, reserved on August 6, marks a significant development in the high-profile case.Been in jail for 17 monthsSisodia, who has been in jail for 17 months, was granted regular bail in cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court directed him to furnish a bail bond of ₹10 lakh with two sureties, surrender his passport, and report to the Investigating Officer twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. The court also instructed that Sisodia should not attempt to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.Bench refuses EDs requestThe bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, refused to accept the EDs request to restrict Sisodia from visiting the Delhi secretariat or the Chief Ministers office, a restriction previously imposed on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his interim bail period.Sisodias third attempt to secure bailThis was Sisodias third attempt to secure bail from the Supreme Court. In October last year, the top court had denied him bail but allowed for the possibility of a renewed plea if the trial did not progress within six to eight months. With the trial delayed beyond six months, Sisodia sought bail on the grounds of delay, which was rejected by the Delhi High Court in May. He then approached the Supreme Court again in June, and after the ED announced its intention to file its charge sheet by July 3, the court initially declined to consider the merits of the petition. In July, Sisodia filed his third plea for bail.What is the case against Manish SisodiaSisodia was arrested in February 2023 by the CBI, followed by the ED a month later. The case, initiated based on a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in July 2022, alleges irregularities in the excise policy. The CBIs FIR accuses Sisodia of making decisions regarding the excise policy for 2021-22 without appropriate approval, allegedly to benefit certain licensees.In addition, the EDs investigation claims that kickbacks from the excise policy were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Partys 2022 Punjab election campaign. Other notable figures, including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, have also been implicated in the probe. While Singh is out on bail, Kejriwal remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.With the Supreme Courts latest decision, Manish Sisodia is set to be released from jail, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Delhi excise policy case.
