Manish Sisodia released from jail 17 months after arrest in Delhi liquor policy case

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia emerged from jail on Friday 17 months after his arrest after being granted bail by the Supreme Court on the same day. prison.

Sisodia was arrested for his alleged involvement in corruption and money laundering cases related to the controversial Delhi excise policy scam.

When Sisodia walked out of Tihar jail, a large number of AAP supporters held high flags and cheered loudly, waiting for his arrival.

Sisodia, who was accompanied by party leaders Atish Marina and Sanjay Singh, delivered his first words, saying: “I am coming out because of your love and the grace of God.”

“Dictators can put us in jail, but Babasaheb's constitution will save us,” he said.

The AAP leader further said, “Ever since I received this order in the morning, every inch of my skin feels indebted to Babasaheb. I don't understand how to repay Babasaheb's debt.

What did the Supreme Court say?

The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, granted bail to Sisodia without any conditions.

On August 6, the judge reserved judgment on Sisodia's plea, ruling that his right to a speedy trial had been denied.

“We find that the appellant (Sisodia) has been deprived of his right to a speedy trial by virtue of his lengthy imprisonment of approximately 17 months and the fact that the trial has not yet begun,” the judge said in a 38-page statement. .

“The order of the Delhi High Court is quashed and stayed,” Justice Gawai said. He was granted bail in both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases.

The court stressed that Sisodia was not a risk of fleeing the country, stating: “It is time for the trial and the High Court to recognize the principle that bail is the rule and prison is the exception. He has deep roots in society, There was no way he could escape the country.

The court stipulated that Sisodia must pay a bail of 200,000 rupees, surrender his passport, and report to the police station as required.

Case against Sisodia

Sisodia was first arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, in connection with the controversial and now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him on March 9, 2023, in connection with the money laundering case filed in the CBI's First Information Report (FIR).

He resigned from the Delhi Cabinet on February 28, 2023.

(Based on input from each agency)