The decision is pronounced by a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti, who had reserved their decision on October 17 regarding both applications.
Digital Desk: The Supreme Court on October 30 refused bail to Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi, in allegations involving corruption and money laundering linked to the purported Delhi excise policy scam. The court's decision concerned the two distinct cases that the CBI and ED had brought against Sisodia in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
The decision is pronounced by a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti, who had reserved their decision on October 17 regarding both applications.
While giving the verdicts, Justices Sanjiv Khanna said, “One aspect regard to transfer of money,338 crores, is tentatively established. We have dismissed the bail," as quoted by Live Law.
The AAP leader may request bail once more within three months if the trial drags on, as stated by Live Law, but the highest court directed that it be completed in six to eight months.
The Supreme Court had warned the ED earlier on October 17 that it would be challenging to prove Sisodia's money-laundering case if a bribe purportedly paid for altering the Delhi excise policy is not included in the predicate offense.
Because of his suspected involvement in the "scam," the former deputy chief minister of Delhi was detained by the CBI on February 26. Moreover, on February 28, he resigned from the Delhi government.
Then, in March, after questioning Sisodia in Tihar Jail, the ED detained him in connection with a money laundering case that originated from the CBI FIR. The Delhi High Court denied him bail on 30 May in the CBI probe, citing his status as the deputy chief minister and excise minister as "high-profile" individuals who might influence the witnesses.
Declaring that the charges against him are "very serious in nature," the high court denied him bail on July 3 in the money laundering case related to purported anomalies in the local government's excise policy.
On November 17, 2021, the Delhi government put the policy into effect. However, due to accusations of corruption, it was scrapped by the end of September 2022.
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