Supreme Court Dismisses Bail Plea Of Manish Sisodia In Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's bail application in the Delhi excise policy scam case was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Monday.

The bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti stated that the prosecution had given assurance that the trial in the case would be completed within six to eight months.

They also mentioned that if the trial progresses in a careless or sluggish manner, Sisodia would have the right to submit a new bail plea after three months.

The bench acknowledged that there were legal questions, but it had only provided limited answers to them.

“If answered, answered in a very limited way,” it said.

Justice Khanna expressed doubt about certain aspects of the analysis.

“In the analysis, there are certain aspects which we have said is doubtful. But one aspect with regard to the transfer of money, Rs 338 crores, we have held that tentatively it is established," Justice Khanna said, Indian Express reported.

“We have therefore dismissed the application for bail. But we have made one pointed observation that they have said that the trial will be over in 6-8 months. So within 3 months, if the trial proceeds sloppily or slowly, you will be entitled to file an application for bail,” the Supreme Court said.

Sisodia was first arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 26 February this year in relation to the scam. Later, on 9 March, he was also arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering.