The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s plea challenging his arrest in connection with the excise policy case.
The apex court suggested Sisodia to move to Delhi High Court. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said that the court is not inclined to entertain the petition at this stage and suggested Sisodia to move to Delhi High Court.
“It cannot interfere in the matter as it may open the gate of people approaching the top court in every such matter,” the court remarked.
The court also remarked that various legal remedies are available for Sisodia in different forums including efficacious remedies for quashing FIR and bail plea in Delhi court.
The court observed just because an incident happens in Delhi does not mean the matter will come to the Supreme Court. The court also said that it will set a very wrong precedent.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who is representing the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister urged the court to grant relief to Sisodia, questioning why there was a need for arrest. The lawyer also said that Sisodia is not a flight risk.
As soon as advocate Abhishek Singhvi started arguments, the Chief Justice asked why he had come to the Supreme Court under Article 32? Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to the decisions given by the Supreme Court in the recent past on the petitions of Vinod Dua and Arnav Goswami. On this, the Chief Justice said that your case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. What does this have to do with Article 32?
After this, Justice PS Narasimha told Abhishek Manu Singhvi in a stern tone that if the incident happened in Delhi, would you come directly to the Supreme Court? You have the option of Delhi High Court. Both the judges said that this is not a matter of personal liberty but of the Prevention of Corruption Act. If you have objection of the action of CBI then you have to go to High Court.
Following this, the Supreme Court refused to interfere in the CBI action on Manish Sisodia.
CBI has made Sisodia the main accused in the liquor scam. CBI alleged that the new liquor policy of Delhi was made to benefit the liquor traders. Cabinet drafts of the new liquor policy were shared with people outside the government. The commission of liquor traders was increased from 2 per cent to 12 per cent.