On June 5, the Delhi High Court denied interim bail to AAP leader and former Dy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia in the money laundering case concerning the Delhi Liquor Scam. He had sought interim bail claiming the poor health condition of his wife in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case.
The court reserved the order on Saturday. The court had also called for Manish Sisodia’s wife’s medical report from LNJP hospital, where she was admitted.
The court said that the allegations against the AAP leader are extremely serious in nature. The court also noted the possibility of Manish Sisodia tampering with evidence if released on bail, as he was the Dy CM of Delhi and held important portfolios.
On June 2, the Delhi High Court allowed Manish Sisodia to meet his wife for one day. The court also barred the AAP leader from interacting with the media, using his mobile phone or accessing the internet. The court was hearing Manish Sisodia’s plea seeking interim bail, in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, sought citing his wife’s poor health condition.
Manish Sisodia is lodged in jail in cases registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED in connection to the irregularities and alleged corruption in the implementation of Delhi’s excise policy.
The court allowed Manish Sisodia to meet his wife on June 3, between 10 AM and 5 PM. Furthermore, the court directed that the AAP leader shall not meet any other individual, except for his family members.
It is pertinent to note that the court earlier dismissed Manish Sisodia’s bail application in the CBI case. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma had said, “The allegations are very serious in nature that the excise policy was formed at the instance of South Group with mala fide intention to give undue advantage to them. Such a conduct points towards the misconduct of the applicant who was admittedly a public servant and was holding a very high position.”
Furthermore, the court noted that most witnesses against Manish Sisodia are public servants and as he is an influential person and the former Dy CM of Delhi having 18 portfolios, the possibility of witness tampering cannot be ruled out. CBI had submitted to the court, “That the Applicant is the kingpin and architect of the conspiracy herein. His influence and clout disentitle him to any parity with the co-accused. The Applicant has been confronted with sensitive documents and witnesses and is as such fully aware of the line of investigation.”
“There is every likelihood that in case the Applicant is released on bail, he shall tamper with the evidence and influence witnesses, more specifically in light of his past conduct to derail the investigation,” the probe agency added.
However, the CBI opposed Manish Sisodia’s bail arguing that the case involves a “deep-rooted and multi-layered conspiracy.” The agency further submitted that the AAP leader has remained non-cooperative and evasive during the investigation. The agency also submitted that he is the key link to unearth the modus operandi.
The probe agency claimed that the former Dy CM enjoys a close nexus with the executive and the bureaucrats. Furthermore, the CBI said that his party colleagues holding high ranks continue to make “factually wrong claims” stating that Manish Sisodia is a victim of political vendetta, and are trying to influence the investigation.
“A perusal of the said statements by these leader(s) during the press conferences would reveal how the entire efforts of not only the Applicant but his party colleagues as a whole are to shield the accused herein. The statements also undermine the authority of the Ld. Special Judge (CBI), having already taken cognizance of the offences, and are being made to adversely impact the investigation by levelling unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations against the CBI, thereby influencing and deterring the witnesses of the case,” CBI had submitted to the court.
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