SC Grants Bail to Manish Sisodia in ED and CBI Cases

The Supreme Court granted bail on Friday, August 9, 2024, to the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister. Manish Sisodia in the cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.

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The decision was made by a Bench consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, who emphasized Sisodia’s right to a speedy trial. Especially in light of his 17-month-long imprisonment and the delays in starting the trial. The court ordered his release upon the payment of ₹10 lakh in bail bonds. As part of the bail conditions, Mr. Sisodia is required to surrender his passport. Report to the police station every Monday, and refrain from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.

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The court also turned down the ED’s request to bar Sisodia from visiting. The Delhi Secretariat or the Chief Minister’s office. This was in contrast to the restriction placed on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. When he was granted interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

Sisodia’s Arrests and Rejected Bail Pleas

Sisodia was initially arrested by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act on February 26, 2023, and later by the ED on March 9 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His previous bail applications were rejected by the Delhi High Court on May 30 and by a Vacation Bench of the Supreme Court on June 4.

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However, the Supreme Court allowed Sisodia to renew his bail plea after the central agencies filed their final charge sheets or prosecution complaints. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both the CBI and ED, assured the court on June 4 that the final charge sheet in the excise policy case would be submitted to the trial court by July 3, 2024.

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