The Supreme Court is set to announce its decision on Friday regarding the bail applications filed by Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP leader. These pleas concern corruption and money laundering allegations tied to the purported Delhi excise policy scam.
Court Proceedings and Key Arguments
On August 6, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, reserved its judgment on Sisodia's bail requests. The bench had previously heard arguments from both Sisodia and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before deciding to reserve the order.
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Enforcement Directorate's Position
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) argued that Manish Sisodia, the main suspect in the case, is deeply implicated in the scam and is not merely a victim of political motivations. The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju, representing the ED, asserted that Sisodia's involvement is substantial, contrary to claims of political targeting.
Sisodia's Plea and ASG's Counterarguments
Sisodia sought interim bail on the grounds of his wife's health issues. However, ASG Raju countered by stating that if the trial proceeds, additional evidence could be presented. He emphasized that the trial had not been delayed by other investigations, contrary to Sisodia's assertions. Raju highlighted that there was strong evidence directly linking Sisodia to the case, pointing out that his significant responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister meant he was accountable for all related matters.
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