Delhi: Manish Sisodia 'Architect Of Conspiracy' In Excise Policy Case, Says Court, Denies Bail

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's bail plea in the excise policy case has been rejected by the court, which accused him of being the architect of the criminal conspiracy.

The court stated that Sisodia's release may hamper the ongoing investigation, and that he played the most important role in the conspiracy's formulation and implementation.

Special Judge M K Nagpal, who had reserved order on the AAP leader's bail plea on 24 March, said he was not inclined to release him at this stage.

'Thus, it is clear from the above discussion that the applicant 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 objectives of the said conspiracy...

'Thus, as per allegations made by the prosecution and the evidence collected in support thereof so far, the applicant can prima facie be held to be the architect of the said criminal conspiracy,' the judge said.

'... This court is not inclined to release the applicant on bail at this stage of investigation of the case as his release may adversely affect the ongoing investigation and will also seriously hamper the progress thereof. Therefore, this bail application filed on behalf of the applicant is being dismissed,' the judge said in his 34-page order.

Sisodia had sought bail, claiming he was not a flight risk and that no incriminating evidence was found against him by the CBI. However, the CBI opposed his bail plea, alleging that he was in a position to influence witnesses and destroy evidence.

His lawyer had said the policy was formulated 'purely in the normal course'.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on 26 February in connection with alleged corruption in the scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, and was later arrested by the ED on 9 March in a separate case being probed by the CBI.

(with inputs from PTI)