Manish Sisodia Seeks Supreme Court Review on Bail Denial

Manish Sisodia Seeks Supreme Court Review on Bail Denial

VoM News Desk | November 30, 2023 | 09:39 AM IST | Politics | Follow on Google News

Manish Sisodia Seeks Supreme Court Review on Bail Denial

Manish Sisodia Seeks Supreme Court Review on Bail Denial

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, challenging its decision to deny him bail in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam involving corruption and money laundering charges. The Supreme Court, in its October 30 order, had tentatively supported the accusation against Sisodia of facilitating “windfall gains” of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers based on evidence presented.

Key Accusations and Court’s Observations

The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, acknowledged that several charges by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were debatable. However, it noted a clear charge under the PML Act, citing the CBI’s charge sheet. The charge sheet alleged that the 7% excess commission earned by distributors, amounting to Rs 338 crore, constituted an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The bench asserted that this sum, earned within ten months, represented the proceeds of crime, intending to provide significant gains to selected distributors in exchange for kickbacks and bribes.

Sisodia’s Arrest and Allegations

Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged involvement in the scam and has been in custody since then. The ED later arrested him on March 9 in a money-laundering case linked to the CBI FIR. Sisodia, who also held the excise portfolio, resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, following the controversy surrounding the excise policy implemented in November 2021 but scrapped in September 2022 amid corruption allegations.

Investigation and Controversy Over New Policy

The investigating agencies have accused the new excise policy of resulting in cartelisation and favoring ineligible entities for liquor licenses for monetary gains. However, the Delhi government and Sisodia have refuted these allegations, maintaining that the policy aimed to increase revenue.

Sisodia’s review petition in the Supreme Court is a critical step in this high-profile case, which has significant political and legal implications.

VoM News Desk

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