In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has denied bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning an alleged excise policy scam in the national capital. The court’s decision comes as a blow to Sisodia, who has been facing serious allegations of corruption and involvement in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, presiding over a single-judge bench, pronounced the judgment, citing concerns over the possibility of evidence tampering due to Sisodia’s influential position and the involvement of several public servants as witnesses. The court also emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Sisodia and expressed apprehensions about potential witness manipulation.
During the hearing, the CBI vehemently opposed Sisodia’s bail plea, highlighting his close connections with the executive, government offices, and bureaucrats. The CBI argued that Sisodia’s party colleagues, including high-ranking officials, were attempting to influence the investigation and shield him from the allegations, characterizing his claims of being a victim of political vendetta as factually incorrect.
Sisodia’s defense, represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, contended that the CBI had no concrete evidence linking him to the alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy. Krishnan argued that all other accused individuals in the CBI case had been granted bail, further emphasizing the need for Sisodia’s release.
Earlier, the trial court had denied bail to Sisodia, referring to him as the “prima facie architect” of the scam and alleging his pivotal role in a criminal conspiracy involving the alleged acceptance of advance kickbacks amounting to ₹90-100 crore for himself and his colleagues in the Delhi government. Additionally, Sisodia is currently in custody in a related money laundering case.
The high court’s rejection of Sisodia’s bail plea further prolongs his legal battle and places him in continued detention. The case has garnered significant attention due to Sisodia’s high-profile political background and the alleged corruption involving government officials.
As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the investigation and subsequent trial, which will determine Sisodia’s fate and shed light on the extent of the alleged excise policy scam. The court’s decision to deny bail underscores the seriousness of the charges and the need for a fair and impartial investigation to uncover the truth surrounding this controversy.
