New Delhi: On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with cases filed against him by the ED and CBI related to the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan recognised Sisodia’s right to a speedy trial, highlighting his 17-month imprisonment and the ongoing delay in starting the trial.
The court required Sisodia to submit a Rs10 lakh bail bond with two sureties, surrender his passport, and report to the Investigating Officer twice weekly — on Mondays and Thursdays. He was also instructed not to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
The judges rejected the ED’s oral request to prevent Sisodia from visiting the Delhi Secretariat or the Chief Minister’s office, as was previously done with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal when he was granted interim bail for election campaigning.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 last year under the Prevention of Corruption Act, followed by his arrest by the ED on March 9 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His bail application was denied by the Delhi High Court on May 30, and a Supreme Court Vacation Bench also refused bail on June 4.
However, the Bench allowed Sisodia to renew his bail plea after the central agencies file the final charge sheet or prosecution complaint in the case.
On June 4, the court recorded an undertaking from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both the CBI and ED, that the final charge sheet would be submitted to the trial court by July 3, 2024.
