Excise case: No bail for Manish Sisodia

HC says grave misuse of power

In a significant development, the Delhi High Court rejected the bail applications of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday. The cases, filed by the ED and CBI, are related to an alleged liquor scam. The court stated that the issue involved serious misuse of power and violation of public trust by Sisodia.

The court further noted that Sisodia’s actions represented a “severe betrayal of democratic principles”. He is accused of destroying key evidence, including electronic data. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma highlighted that Sisodia, who held 18 portfolios in the Delhi government, was a highly influential figure.

The court also pointed out that many witnesses against Sisodia are public servants, raising concerns about potential influence. In response to the court’s decision, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed respectful disagreement and announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court for Sisodia’s “justice”. The high court had reserved

its order on the bail applications on May 14 after hearing arguments from the AAP leader, CBI, and ED. The court, while rejecting the bail applications on Tuesday, stated that the case involved serious misuse of power and violation of public trust by Sisodia, who was serving as the deputy chief minister of Delhi at the time.