The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear Manish Sisodia’s petition challenging his arrest in connection with the excise policy case. The Supreme Court advised Sisodia to appeal to the Delhi High Court. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that the court is unlikely to hear the petition at this time and advised Sisodia to appeal to the Delhi High Court.
“It can not interfere in the matter as it may open the gate of people approaching the top court in every such matter,” the court remarked.
The court also stated that Sisodia has several legal options available to him in various forums, including effective remedies for quashing the FIR and filing a bail petition in Delhi. The court stated that just because an incident occurs in Delhi does not mean the case will be heard by the Supreme Court. The court also stated that it will set an extremely bad precedent.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, urged the court to grant Sisodia relief, questioning why an arrest was necessary. Sisodia, according to the lawyer, is not a flight risk. On Monday, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court granted Sisodia a 5-day remand to the CBI until March 4 to interrogate him in the excise policy case.
On Monday, the senior AAP leader appeared in court. The CBI arrested Sisodia on Sunday. On Monday, Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers protested across the country, claiming vengeance for Sisodia’s arrest and demanding his immediate release.
Workers were seen sitting on roads and chanting slogans, while others staged a handcuffed foot march against the BJP in the national capital. As the police attempted to push them back, the workers were seen attempting to cross the barricades. The officers ordered the party workers to enter the office.
AAP workers demonstrated outside the party’s headquarters in the national capital, shouting slogans like “Jail ke taale tutenge, Manish Sisodia chutenge” (Jail locks will be broken, Manish Sisodia will be freed). They have come to be arrested, according to AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, because the agency has arrested Manish Sisodia in a false case.
“The Centre wishes to arrest every AAP leader, MLA, and Minister. As a result, we have also approached PM Modi, requesting that we be arrested. We’ve all come to give our arrest. Put an end to our party and lock us all up. The world should be aware that India has a dictatorship and that an emergency situation exists “Earlier, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj told ANI.
Meanwhile, the CBI issued a statement on Sisodia’s arrest on Sunday, claiming he was giving evasive answers and was not cooperating in the ongoing investigation into the liquor scam. The agency also stated that Sisodia had been summoned earlier on February 19 in connection with the ongoing investigation, but had requested a week’s extension citing the Delhi Budget.
“The Deputy CM was issued a notice under section 41A of CrPC for attending the investigation on February 19, 2023. However, he sought time of one week citing his preoccupation,” the CBI stated.
On his arrest, the CBI issued a statement saying, “He gave evasive replies and did not cooperate in the investigation despite being confronted with evidence to the contrary. Therefore, he has been arrested.”
