In a significant development for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, the Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of his bail plea until August 5. The adjournment follows Sisodia’s challenge against the Delhi High Court’s decision, which had previously rejected his bail application in the controversial Delhi excise policy case.
On Monday, the Supreme Court’s bench, consisting of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan, delayed the proceedings after the additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju requested additional time to submit a response on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Raju also highlighted that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had already filed its response, but it had yet to be added to the court records. He further contended that Sisodia’s new petitions to the Supreme Court should not be entertained, as the court’s previous order on June 4 only permitted the AAP leader to file new bail applications in the trial court, not in the Supreme Court.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, disagreed with Raju’s argument, labeling it as “unfortunate.” Singhvi emphasized that Sisodia had moved the apex court after the Delhi High Court denied his second bail plea on May 21. Sisodia is seeking bail in connection with cases filed by both the CBI and the ED under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, respectively.
The Supreme Court had previously dismissed Sisodia’s earlier bail plea in June, following an assurance from the Solicitor General of India that the chargesheet and prosecution complaint in the Delhi liquor policy case would be filed by July 3, 2024. The court allowed Sisodia the option to renew his bail request once the final complaint and chargesheet were submitted.
As of now, the Supreme Court has granted the Enforcement Directorate until August 1 to file its response, with the next hearing scheduled for August 5. The adjournment marks a temporary setback for Sisodia, who remains in judicial custody as he awaits further developments in his case.
Sources By Agencies