Delhi excise policy: Court denies bail to Manish Sisodia in CBI case

The Rouse Avenue Court dismissed on Friday the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the Union Territories government.

Special Judge MK Nagpal dismissed the bail plea moved by Manish Sisodia. He is presently in judicial custody and is scheduled to be produced before the court on April 3, 2023. The court last week reserved the order on the bail plea after the counsel representing the CBI submitted brief written submissions and judgements concerned, as directed by the court on the last date of the hearing. The CBI also provided a case diary and several witness statements in the case.

Sisodia, in his bail petition in a trial court, stated that no fruitful purpose would be served to keep him in custody as all the recoveries in the case have already been made.
Sisodia also stated that he joined the investigation as and when called for by the CBI. The other accused persons arrested in this case have already been granted bail, Sisodia noted further, adding that he held the important constitutional post of deputy CM of Delhi and has deep roots in the society.

However, Sisodia later tendered his resignation as deputy CM in light of his arrest in the liquor policy case. The CBI, represented by advocate DP Singh, opposed Sisodia’s bail plea, stating, “If he is granted bail, this will scuttle and compromise our investigation as the influence and interference are writ large,” CBI said.

The agency further claimed that Sisodia said he destroyed phones because he wanted to upgrade but that nothing of the kind happened. “According to us, he did this to destroy the chat. He (Manish Sisodia) might not be a flight risk, but he is a definite risk who will destroy evidence, this cannot be ignored, the CBI added, opposing Sisodia’s bail plea.

The CBI also submitted that between March 14–17, 2021, the South Group was residing in Oberoi, adding that they prepared a note and took a printout. “They got 36 pages of photocopies. There were meetings, and a printout was made. We have evidence to show that clauses were given and a report was prepared,” the CBI stated.