Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, has been granted bail by the Supreme Court after spending 1.5 years in jail. This decision came after the court heard his pleas seeking bail in two cases related to the Delhi liquor policy scam, filed by the CBI and the ED for alleged money laundering and corruption.
The Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan overturned the Delhi High Court’s order from May 21 and granted bail to the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader in both cases. The court emphasized that the denial of bail should not be used as a form of punishment.
After the verdict, the AAP’s official ‘X’ handle expressed gratitude, stating that the truth has prevailed and the people of Delhi’s prayers have been answered. They mentioned that Manish Sisodia, who is known as the father of the education revolution, will finally be released from jail after 1.5 years.
Sisodia had made multiple attempts to secure bail, and this was his third appeal to the apex court after the High Court rejected his previous pleas. As part of the bail conditions, he has been asked to submit Rs 2 lakh bail bonds, surrender his passport, and report to the police station.
It’s important to note that the CBI’s final charge sheet in the case, filed on July 29, did not name Sisodia as an accused. Instead, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five others, including AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, were mentioned in the charge sheet.
The Delhi liquor policy case revolves around alleged irregularities in the liquor policy for 2021-22, which has since been scrapped. This development marks a significant moment for Manish Sisodia as he prepares to leave jail and continue his work in public service.