Manish Sisodia’s Bail Plea: New Bench to Hear Arguments in Excise Policy Case

Manish Sisodia’s bail plea has been rescheduled, with the court setting the next hearing for July 29. The Supreme Court, in a fresh development, heard AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s petition seeking to revive his plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s rejection of his bail application in an excise policy case.

The matter was brought before a new bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Sanjay Karol, and KV Viswanathan after Justice Sanjay Kumar recused himself from the case on July 11. Following this recusal, the bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna adjourned the proceedings. The case was then listed before a three-judge bench including Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Sanjay Karol, and an appropriate substitute for Justice Sanjay Kumar.

After Justice Sanjay Kumar recusal, the bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna adjourned the matter. The matter was listed before a three-judge bench Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The top court has directed to list the matter before an appropriate bench this week in which one of the judge is not a member.

When the hearing began on Thursday, Justice Khanna said that his brother judge Justice Kumar will not like to hear the matter for personal reasons. Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia has moved the Supreme Court seeking revival of his bail plea and complained about delay in commencement of trial in excise policy case. Earlier Senior Advocate Singhvi apprised the top court about June 4’s order whereby the probe agency has stated that investigation in the excise policy case would be concluded and final complaint/charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3 2024 and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with trial.

On June 4 the top court also given the liberty to Sisodia to revive his prayer afresh after filing of the final complaint/Charge-sheet.Sisodia now sought to revive his application challenging Delhi High Court order which dismissed his bail plea.

CJI on Tuesday assured Sisodia’s counsel to look into it and asked him to rectify the technical defects. On June 4, the top court has disposed of Sisodia plea after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, learned submitted.that the investigation would be concluded and final complaint/charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3 and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with trial.

Sisodia sought revival of his plea challenging Delhi High Court on May 21’s order. In February 2023, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of now-scrapped Delhi’s new excise policy. The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the opposition. Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.

According to the CBI, Sisodia had played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy and he had been deeply involved in the formulation as well as the implementation of the said policy to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the said conspiracy.

WITH INPUTS FROM ANI