More Troubles For AAP: Delhi High Court Denies Bail To Manish Sisodia In Liquor Policy Case, Considers His Arguments "Meritless"

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (21 May) has denied bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in all cases related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22.

The court ruled that there was no delay on the prosecution's part in providing documents or on the trial court's part in framing charges.

This decision follows the extension of Sisodia's judicial custody by the capital's Rouse Avenue court until 31 May as per a report by Hindustan Times.

“This court is of the view that there has been no delay on the part of the prosecution in supplying the documents and on the part of the trial court regarding arguments on charge. It is not the fault of the ED, CBI, and the trial court that there was a voluminous record of investigation,” the high court stated.

The court also rejected Sisodia's argument that his bail application could not be considered on merits, labeling the claims as “meritless.” It also clarified that the Supreme Court had not restricted the lower courts' rights to evaluate the application on its merits.

The court further noted Sisodia's involvement in the crucial destruction of electronic evidence and identified him as an influential person, considering his prominent position within the party. It emphasised that the possibility of Sisodia influencing key witnesses could not be ruled out.

During the hearing, the court mentioned that Sisodia, rather than genuinely seeking public feedback, had orchestrated a scheme where pre-drafted emails were sent under the guise of public comments by various people under his direction.

“Corruption in this case originated from the applicant’s desire to frame the policy. The dissemination of false information by portraying it as a form of feedback constitutes corruption,” the court added.

The court concluded that Sisodia had not made a sufficient case for bail.

However, it allowed him to meet his wife, Seema, who suffers from an acute attack of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune condition of the central nervous system, under custody every week on the same terms and conditions as decided by the trial court.