Supreme Court to deliver order on Manish Sisodia's bail plea tomorrow
New Delhi: The Supreme Court will deliver on August 9, an order on AAP leader Manish Sisodia's petition challenging the Delhi High Court order rejecting his bail plea in the excise policy irregularities cases.
The order will be delivered tomorrow by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.
The court reserved the order on Sisodia's plea this Tuesday after both of the sides concluded their arguments.
The top court was hearing the Sisodia appeal challenging the Delhi High Court order that dismissed his bail plea in the cases being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the probe agencies, had raised apprehension that witnesses may be influenced.
ASG Raju said that some important witnesses can be examined. He further added that these witnesses could be influenced. He also said that there is evidence that he has destroyed phone records.
ASG had blamed Sisodia for filing various miscellaneous applications related to the supply of unrelated documents. He also said that the trial could have proceeded irrespective of further investigation.
"The delay is totally attributable to the accused," ASG said.
Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, had said that seventeen months are already over which is almost half of the minimum possible sentence in the case.
He has also countered probe agencies allegations on profit margin and said that it was the cabinet decisions taken after deliberations with many officials including then LG.
ASG Raju on Monday said that one cannot arbitrarily increase the profit margins without reason. He has further added that Sisodia is not an innocent person picked up for political reasons but he is neck-deep in the scam.
He further added that there is evidence pointing to his involvement. He further said that he was deputy Chief Minister with 18 portfolios and responsible for all cabinet decisions.
Earlier, Senior Advocate Singhvi apprised the top court about the June 4th order, whereby the probe agency has stated that the investigation in the excise policy case would be concluded and the final charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3, 2024, and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with a trial.
On June 4, the top court also gave him the liberty to revive his prayer afresh after filing the final charge sheet.
Sisodia now sought to revive his application, challenging the Delhi High Court order that dismissed his bail plea.
On June 4, the top court disposed of Sisodia's plea after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the investigation would be concluded and the final charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3 and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with trial.
Sisodia sought a revival of his plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order on May 21.
In February 2023, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of now-scrapped Delhi's new excise policy.
The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the opposition. Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.
According to the CBI, Sisodia had played the most vital role in the criminal conspiracy and he had been deeply involved in the formulation as well as the implementation of the said policy to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the said conspiracy.
