In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, ending his 17-month stint behind bars. Sisodia, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had been imprisoned in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, which also involved allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Sisodia’s legal ordeal began on February 26, 2023, when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him over alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy. This arrest followed multiple rounds of questioning by the CBI. Just over a week later, on March 9, 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Sisodia into custody in a related money laundering case, further extending his detention.
The Supreme Court, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, issued the bail order today, citing Sisodia’s prolonged incarceration and the lack of progress in his trial as reasons for granting relief. The bench noted that Sisodia had been held for 17 months without the commencement of his trial, which undermined his right to a speedy trial. The justices emphasized that it would be unjust to force Sisodia to remain in detention while awaiting trial.
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The case timeline highlights key events leading to Sisodia’s arrest:
– November 2021: The Delhi government introduced a new excise policy.
– July 2022: Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the policy’s implementation.
– August 2022: The CBI and ED launched investigations and raided Sisodia’s residence.
– September 2022: The Delhi government withdrew the excise policy.
– October 2022: Sisodia was interrogated by the CBI for over eight hours.
– February 2023: Following a series of summons, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI and resigned from his cabinet post.
– March 2023: The ED arrested Sisodia in connection with money laundering.
– July 2023: The Delhi High Court denied Sisodia’s bail plea.
– October 2023: The Supreme Court initially denied bail but later agreed to review the petitions.
– August 2024: The Supreme Court granted bail, providing Sisodia with a reprieve.
Sisodia’s legal team had argued that the lengthy detention without trial was unjust, while the ED and CBI had opposed his bail petitions. The Supreme Court’s decision marks a crucial turning point in Sisodia’s legal battle, as he prepares to re-enter public life following his release.
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