Manish Sisodia Moves Delhi Court Seeking Bail In Liquor Policy Case

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia has moved a Delhi Court seeking bail in the case filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging corruption relating to excise policy for the year 2021-22.

Earlier this week, the trial court had remanded Sisodia to CBI's custody till March 4 which is ending tomorrow. Special CBI Judge MK Nagpal acceded to CBI's request for five days custody to question Sisodia.

After the remand, Supreme Court refused to entertain the petition filed by Sisodia challenging his arrest by the probe agency. It was observed that Sisodia has alternative remedies available before the High Court and asked him to pursue them instead of directly invoking the jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

Sisodia tendered his resignation from the cabinet later which was accepted by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Sisodia was arrested on Sunday last week after an interrogation of more than 8 hours. He was named as an accused in the FIR. It is the case of the probe agency that there were alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy for the year 2021-22. 

The CBI alleged that Sisodia was arrested as he gave evasive replies and did not cooperate with the investigation despite being confronted with evidence.

On Sunday, the CBI had commenced a second round of questioning. Sisodia was earlier questioned on October 17 last year. Chargesheet in the matter was filed on November 25, 2022.

The CBI FIR states that Sisodia and several others were instrumental in “recommending and taking decisions” regarding the excise policy 2021-22 “without approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensee post tender.”