"Delhi High Court Takes Decision on Bail Plea of Manish Sisodia in CBI's Excise Policy Scam Case"
The Delhi High Court has reached a verdict on the bail plea of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, in the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma delivered the ruling, stating concerns about Sisodia's potential influence on witnesses if released on bail. Emphasizing the gravity of the allegations, the court acknowledged Sisodia's past position as a public servant. Earlier, a trial court had already denied Sisodia's bail plea on March 31. The special CBI judge MK Nagpal had previously found Sisodia to have played a significant role in the criminal conspiracy connected to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy case. As a result, Sisodia had appealed to the High Court seeking bail. The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26 in relation to the liquor policy case, followed by his subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 9. The accusations state that Sisodia and other AAP members colluded to grant liquor licenses to specific traders in exchange for bribes. The central agencies contend that the excise policy was manipulated to benefit certain traders, leading to kickbacks being received. The ED and CBI initiated investigations into the alleged scam following a recommendation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, based on a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary. The report alleged violations of statutory provisions by Sisodia and the implementation of a policy with significant financial implications. AAP has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining Sisodia's innocence. Sisodia argues that the policy and its modifications were approved by the Lieutenant Governor, and that the CBI is now targeting the policy decisions of an elected government. Furthermore, he highlights that neither the CBI nor the ED have been able to trace any kickbacks to him. In the ED case, Sisodia's bail plea was also denied by the special court on April 28, and an appeal is currently pending before the High Court.
TAGS: Delhi High Court bail plea Manish Sisodia Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) excise policy scam Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma witnesses trial court special CBI judge prima facie criminal conspiracy Delhi Excise Policy case arrest Enforcement Directorate (ED) liquor licenses bribes kickbacks allegations statutory provisions financial implications Lieutenant Governor (LG) report elected government innocence investigation denial pending appeal.
