India Supreme Court grants bail to opposition leader in money laundering case News
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India Supreme Court grants bail to opposition leader in money laundering case

The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted bail to Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi and a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), marking a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Sisodia, who had been in custody for over 17 months, was released following the court’s decision.

The bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, emphasized the fundamental right to a speedy trial and stated that prolonged incarceration without trial violated Sisodia’s rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty. The court noted that with over 490 witnesses and extensive documentation, there was little chance of the trial concluding in the near future. As a result, the court deemed continued detention without trial to be unjust.

The court ordered Sisodia’s release on bail, subject to conditions including the surrender of his passport and regular reporting to the police. The bench rejected requests from the prosecution to impose additional restrictions, such as barring Sisodia from visiting the Delhi Secretariat, arguing that such measures were unnecessary given his established ties to society and the documentary nature of much of the evidence. The court reiterated that bail should not be withheld as a form of punishment and criticized the trend of prolonged pre-trial detention.

Sisodia’s release has sparked varied reactions. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva claimed that granting bail doesn’t make him innocent and ASG Raju alleged that crucial witnesses could still be examined and influenced. His party members, such as Delhi minister Atishi, have expressed relief and gratitude for the decision.

Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in February 2023, followed by a subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2023, on charges related to corruption and money laundering in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Both agencies had opposed his bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns about potential interference with the investigation. However, the Indian Supreme Court found these arguments insufficient to justify further detention, given the delays in trial proceedings.

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