In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the CBI and ED cases against him for his alleged role in the Delhi excise policy matter. The court noted the extensive delays and the unlikelihood of a speedy trial, in addition to the fact that Sisodia has been incarcerated for around 17 months. It found no error in the judgments of the trial court and Delhi High Court, but disagreed with their assessment that Sisodia was responsible for the delay.
Supreme Court Grants Bail to Manish Sisodia in Delhi Excise Policy Case: A Timeline of Events
Background:
Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in May 2022 in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also filed a money laundering case against him. Sisodia has denied any wrongdoing.
Supreme Court Ruling:
On February 24, 2023, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Sisodia in both the CBI and ED cases. The court held that there was no justification for keeping him in custody beyond eight weeks, as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the Arnesh Kumar case.
The court noted that Sisodia had been incarcerated for around 17 months and that there was a lack of evidence to support the allegation that he was responsible for the delay in the investigation and trial.
FAQs:
1. What are the allegations against Manish Sisodia?
Sisodia is accused of involvement in alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, which was implemented in November 2021. The allegations include granting undue favors to liquor companies, extending licenses without permission, and manipulating data to favor certain businesses.
2. Why was Sisodia arrested?
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on May 27, 2022, after he refused to cooperate with the investigation. He was remanded to judicial custody and has been in jail since then.
3. What are the arguments made by the prosecution?
The prosecution has argued that Sisodia was the "mastermind" behind the excise policy irregularities and that he conspired with other officials to grant undue favors to liquor companies.
4. What are the arguments made by Sisodia's defense?
Sisodia's defense has argued that he is innocent and that the allegations against him are politically motivated. They have also raised concerns about the conduct of the investigation and the fairness of the trial.
5. What is likely to happen next in the case?
Following the Supreme Court's grant of bail, Sisodia is expected to be released from prison soon. The trial in the case is ongoing in the special CBI court in Delhi.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expresses gratitude to her brother Rahul Gandhi for guiding and supporting her during her electoral debut in the Wayanad bypolls, where she gained a staggering lead of over 4 lakh votes. She also promises to be the voice of the people of Wayanad in Parliament.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance registered a thumping victory in Maharashtra, leading in 48 Assembly and 2 Lok Sabha constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and congratulated him on the alliance's win in the state. This is a developing story with more details to be added on the leading and winning candidates as well as reactions from other parties.
The Wayanad bypolls have caught the attention of the nation as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress candidate, is leading with a commanding margin of over 4 lakh votes. This could potentially surpass her brother Rahul Gandhi's victory margin in the 2024 parliamentary elections. With the counting of votes currently underway, all eyes are on Wayanad as the results have the potential to reshape the political landscape of Kerala.
In the ongoing Rajasthan bypolls, the BJP and Congress party are facing unexpected competition from the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) candidates, with the BAP candidates leading in two out of the seven seats. The Jhunjhunu seat saw a direct contest between BJP and Congress, while the Chorasi seat witnessed a fight between BJP and BAP candidates. In other seats, there was a close fight between BJP and Congress. The results of these bypolls may affect the political landscape in Rajasthan.
As soon as the election date is announced, political parties in India begin their preparations for the upcoming battle. With a shift from paper ballots to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the electoral process has evolved significantly. But what happens to these machines after the votes are cast? The EVMs are stored in highly secure strong rooms, and after the results are declared, they are kept for 45 days before being moved to a storage facility. Before the next election, they are retrieved, and the integrity of each machine is verified by representatives from political parties before being reused.
The counting of votes for the Channapatna bypoll has begun and Congress candidate CP Yogeeshwara is currently in the lead. His main competitor is Nikhil Kumaraswamy, grandson of JD(S) supremo HD Devegowda. The by-election was called after the resignation of HD Kumaraswamy. With a total of 31 candidates in the fray, the outcome of this closely-watched election will determine the next MLA for Channapatna. Stay updated with live result updates to find out who will emerge victorious in this political race.
In a heated electoral clash between the Pawar family members, Ajit Pawar has emerged as the victor with a commanding lead over his uncle Sharad Pawar's faction. With a strike rate of 61.02%, this victory cements Ajit Pawar's position as a strong contender in the electoral landscape. However, with the BJP outdoing expectations with leads and wins in 130 seats, questions arise about the upcoming chief ministerial pick in Maharashtra. The split in the NCP family has created consequences that are drastically different for both factions, with this being the first election after their vertical split.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar's election campaign in Maharashtra has been focused on the color pink, symbolizing feminine energy and garnering support from women voters. As the Mahayuti alliance leads in the state, Pawar's party is performing well in 36 constituencies, including his own in Baramati where he is currently leading with a significant margin. This victory holds extra significance for Pawar, who is using the color pink to not only claim victory, but also to avenge the perceived betrayal by his uncle and political rival Sharad Pawar. The use of this strategic color scheme in his campaign has also been seen in his wardrobe, with reports claiming that he owns 18 pink jackets. Ultimately, the success of the NCP's pink campaign could help decide the fate of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
In a stunning blow to Uddhav Thackeray's political career, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emerged victorious in the Maharashtra assembly elections, solidifying his claim as the leader of the "real Shiv Sena". Shinde's faction, part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, is leading in over 200 seats, surpassing Uddhav's faction and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Shinde's focus on preserving the party's original ideology seems to have resonated with voters, establishing him as the rightful heir to the Shiv Sena's political legacy.
The split between Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP has resulted in over 70 seats being flipped from their parent parties to the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly election. This has dealt a major blow to the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, which has only managed to secure 53 seats so far. Without these 70 seats, the opposition stands no chance against the dominant BJP, which is on course for its best ever score in the state. The BJP is expected to rely on these offshoots for a majority in the assembly, potentially leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi out of reach.