Supreme Court to Decide Manish Sisodia's Bail Pleas in High-Stakes Liquor Policy Case

The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a hearing for August 5, 2024, to review the bail petitions filed by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the ongoing liquor policy case. The bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, decided to adjourn the hearing on July 29, 2024, after Additional Solicitor General SV Raju requested additional time to file a counter-affidavit on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already submitted its counter-affidavit, but it has yet to be officially recorded.

Sisodia’s petitions, which seek bail under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, are being handled by the CBI and ED, respectively. During the brief hearing, ASG Raju challenged the maintainability of Sisodia’s new bail applications before the Supreme Court, arguing that the court's June 4, 2024, order only permitted Sisodia to file new bail petitions in the trial court rather than the Supreme Court. In response, Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, representing Sisodia, criticized the ASG’s objections, describing them as "very unfortunate."

The Supreme Court's June 4, 2024, order had disposed of Sisodia’s earlier bail plea, noting that the chargesheet or prosecution complaint should be filed by July 3, 2024. The order also allowed Sisodia the opportunity to revive his bail plea after the filing of the final complaint or chargesheet. Following this, on July 8, 2024, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi sought urgent listing of Sisodia’s bail plea before the Chief Justice of India, emphasizing that Sisodia had been in jail for 16 months with the trial still at a standstill. The case was subsequently listed on July 11, 2024, before a three-judge bench. However, it was adjourned due to Justice Sanjay Kumar’s recusal from the hearing.

On July 16, 2024, a bench consisting of Justices BR Gavai, Sanjay Karol, and KV Viswanathan issued a notice on Sisodia’s petitions after hearing arguments from Advocate Vivek Jain. Jain argued that Sisodia’s continued detention for 16 months, with the trial making no substantive progress since October 2023, warranted reconsideration of his bail request.

Sisodia’s current appeal challenges the Delhi High Court’s order of May 21, 2024, which rejected his second bail plea. He is seeking bail in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering related to the purported liquor policy scam. Sisodia was initially arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and by the ED on March 9, 2023. The Delhi High Court had previously noted that Sisodia’s actions demonstrated a severe misuse of power and breach of trust, with evidence suggesting that he manipulated the excise policy process to achieve his objectives.

Case Details:

1. Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement, SLP(Crl) No. 8781/2024

2. Manish Sisodia v. Central Bureau of Investigation, SLP(Crl) No. 8772/2024