In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, who had been incarcerated for 17 months in relation to the liquor policy case. While the Court held that the trial court and High Court did not err in their judgment on the merits of the case, it stressed that they had ignored the aspect of delay in trial, which should have been considered as per previous judgments. The Court also noted that Sisodia, being a prominent figure in society, was not a flight risk and that most of the evidence in the case was already collected, making the possibility of tampering unlikely.
Manish Sisodia Granted Bail: Key Details and FAQs
Background
Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, was arrested on September 14, 2022, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. He was accused of corruption and irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the policy.
Supreme Court Ruling
On February 23, 2023, the Supreme Court granted Sisodia bail after a span of 17 months in incarceration. The Court ruled that while the lower courts had not erred in their assessment of the merits of the case, they had overlooked the delay in trial, which should have been considered for bail under Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The Court further observed that Sisodia, as a prominent public figure, was unlikely to abscond and that the majority of evidence in the case had already been collected, minimizing the risk of tampering.
FAQs
1. What is the Delhi excise policy case about?
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy, which was introduced in 2021-22 to streamline the alcohol trade in the capital.
2. What are the specific allegations against Manish Sisodia?
Sisodia is accused of manipulating the policy to favor certain liquor traders and causing financial loss to the government.
3. Why was Manish Sisodia denied bail initially?
The trial court and Delhi High Court dismissed Sisodia's bail pleas, citing the gravity of the charges and the need for further investigation.
4. What is the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling?
The Supreme Court's decision emphasizes the importance of considering the delay in trial as a factor for bail, even in cases involving serious offenses.
5. What are the implications of Sisodia's release on bail?
Sisodia's release on bail is a setback for the prosecution and may have political ramifications for the AAP in the upcoming elections. It is still unclear whether Sisodia will be reinstated as Deputy Chief Minister or whether he will be able to resume his official duties.
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