Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Supreme Court To Hear AAP Leader Manish Sisodia's Bail Relaxation Request On 11 December

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's pleas on 11 December, seeking relaxation of bail conditions in connection with the corruption and money laundering cases related to the Delhi liquor excise policy.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sisodia, mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. The bench scheduled the hearing for 11 December, stating, "Day after tomorrow," in response to the request.

The Supreme Court had granted Sisodia bail on 9 August citing that his long incarceration of 17 months without trial had deprived him of his right to a speedy trial. The bail conditions included the requirement for Sisodia to report to the investigating officer every Monday and Thursday between 10 and 11 am. Singhvi mentioned that Sisodia had already appeared before the investigating officers 60 times.

Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 26 February 2023, over alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him on 9 March 2023, in connection with the money laundering case. Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on 28 February 2023, after his arrest.

In its 9 August verdict, the Supreme Court emphasized the principle that "bail is the rule and jail is an exception." The court observed that Sisodia had been deprived of his right to a speedy trial due to his prolonged detention.

It also directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of the same amount and to surrender his passport with the special court. Additionally, the court instructed Sisodia not to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

The Delhi High Court had previously rejected Sisodia’s bail pleas on 21 May which led to the appeal before the Supreme Court. The CBI and ED had opposed his bail applications.