The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the now-defunct excise policy case, citing “great misuse of power and breach of public trust” by the AAP leader.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, presiding over the bench, denied the bail plea, noting that the prosecution had established a prima facie case of money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He also stated that Sisodia’s conduct amounted to a “great betrayal of democratic principles” as he rejected his plea for bail.
Sisodia used ‘deceptive methods’
The couth further noted that Sisodia employed deceptive methods to create an illusion of public support for the Delhi excise policy. However, in reality, the policy was framed to benefit only a few individuals.
“This constitutes a form of corruption,” the court stated.
During the proceedings, the court noted that the AAP leader had destroyed crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The judge mentioned two mobile phones that were reportedly damaged, as per Bar and Bench report.
“This court is of the opinion that petitioner has not been able to make out a case for grant of bail in his favour,” the court stated.
The recent dismissal of Sisodia’s bail request by the trial court in both the CBI and ED cases has prompted his current appeal to the High Court. This marks Sisodia’s second attempt at securing bail.
One round of bail applications was previously rejected last year. Sisodia’s bail plea in the CBI case was dismissed on March 31 last year. Subsequently, on April 28, 2023, the trial court rejected his bail application in the ED case.
The former Delhi chief minister has been in custody since February last year. He is under investigation by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case. He is accused of manipulating the policy to provide unfair advantages to license holders and is alleged to have garnered “illegal” gains, resulting in money laundering allegations.
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