Manish Sisodia Gets Bail From Supreme Court In Delhi Liquor Policy Case, To Walk Out Of Jail After 18 Months

The Supreme Court on Friday (9 August) granted bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in Delhi liquor policy case.

Sisodia's bail comes nearly 18 months after he was arrested by the CBI in the alleged liquor policy scam.

In its verdict, the SC bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said the AAP leader was entitled to a "speedy trial" and that it would it be a "travesty of justice" to send him back to a trial court.

The court also said keeping Sisodia in jail for an "unlimited time" violates his fundamental rights.

"Incarceration of 18 months... Trial not having even commenced and appellant has been deprived of right to speedy trial, " Justice Gavai said as he asked questions of the lower courts, NDTV reported.

"Trial court and High Court ought to have given due weightage to this. Courts have forgotten that bail ought not to be withheld as punishment. Principle bail is the rule and jail an exception..." the court said.

"Keeping appellant behind bars for unlimited time will deny fundamental right. Appellant has deep roots in society... no apprehension of fleeing. Anyway... conditions can be imposed," it added.

The Court noted that there is no remotest possibility of trial being completed in the near future considering that there are over 400 witnesses and thousands of documents.

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