Delhi Excise Policy Scam: SC agrees to hear Sisodia's bail pleas; seeks replies from CBI, ED

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's pleas seeking bail in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

A bench headed by Justice B R Gavai sought responses from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sisodia's pleas and posted the matter for hearing on July 29.

The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice K V Viswanathan, was hearing Sisodia's pleas seeking bail along with an application to revive his petitions in the excise policy-related corruption and money laundering cases.

On July 11 Supreme Court's Judge Justice Sanjay Kumar recused himself from hearing AAP leader Manish Sisodia petition seeking revival of his plea challenging Delhi High Court order rejecting his bail plea in excise policy case.

After Justice Sanjay Kumar recusal, the bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna adjourned the matter. The matter was listed before a three-judge bench Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The top court has directed to list the matter before an appropriate bench this week in which one of the judge is not a member.

When the hearing began on Thursday, Justice Khanna said that his brother judge Justice Kumar will not like to hear the matter for personal reasons.

Delhi's former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia has moved the Supreme Court seeking revival of his bail plea and complained about delay in commencement of trial in excise policy case.

Earlier Senior Advocate Singhvi apprised the top court about June 4's order whereby the probe agency has stated that investigation in the excise policy case would be concluded and final complaint/charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3 2024 and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with trial.

On June 4 the top court also given the liberty to Sisodia to revive his prayer afresh after filing of the final complaint/Charge-sheet.Sisodia now sought to revive his application challenging Delhi High Court order which dismissed his bail plea. CJI on Tuesday assured Sisodia's counsel to look into it and asked him to rectify the technical defects.

 The top court has disposed of Sisodia plea after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, learned submitted.that the investigation would be concluded and final complaint/charge sheet would be filed expeditiously and at any rate on or before July 3 and immediately thereafter, the trial court will be free to proceed with trial.

Sisodia sought revival of his plea challenging Delhi High Court on May 21's order.

In February 2023, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of now-scrapped Delhi's new excise policy. The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the opposition. Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.

According to the CBI, Sisodia had played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy and he had been deeply involved in the formulation as well as the implementation of the said policy to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the said conspiracy.