On August 9, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who had been languishing in jail for 17 months on charges related to the controversial Delhi Liquor Policy 2021-22. Despite being a prominent face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sisodia’s return to his previous position in the Delhi government seems increasingly unlikely. The nature of the charges against him, the conditions of his bail, and the broader implications of the Liquor policy scandal suggest that his political future is in deep jeopardy.
The Delhi Liquor Policy 2021-22, which was championed by Manish Sisodia, aimed to revamp the liquor trade in the national capital by promoting private players and boosting government revenues. However, what was presented as a reformative step soon became embroiled in allegations of corruption and favoritism. The policy was accused of being tailored to benefit a select group of private liquor vendors and distributors, who allegedly paid kickbacks to secure lucrative contracts.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took up the case, accused Sisodia of being the mastermind behind a criminal conspiracy that manipulated the policy to serve vested interests. According to the CBI, Sisodia used his position to ensure that certain private players received undue benefits, at the expense of the public exchequer.
The scandal eventually forced the Delhi government to scrap the policy amid mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society. The Liquor policy, once touted as a bold reform, has since become synonymous with corruption and malfeasance, casting a long shadow over Sisodia’s once-celebrated political career.
On February 26, 2023, the CBI arrested Manish Sisodia, marking the beginning of his legal troubles. The arrest was soon followed by another blow when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took him into custody on March 9, 2023, under charges of money laundering linked to the same Liquor policy scandal. These developments forced Sisodia to resign from his post as Deputy Chief Minister and relinquish his key portfolios in the Delhi government.
Sisodia’s Bail Conditions
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to secure bail, Sisodia finally received a reprieve from the Supreme Court on August 9, 2024. However, the bail comes with stringent conditions that effectively curtail his freedom and political activities:
Bail Bond and Sureties: Sisodia was required to post a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh, alongside two sureties of the same amount. This high bond amount underscores the gravity of the charges against him and the Court’s cautious approach to his release.
Passport Surrender: Sisodia had to surrender his passport, a condition that ensures he remains within the country’s jurisdiction and is readily available for trial.
Regular Reporting: Sisodia is obligated to report to the investigating officer twice a week, keeping him under constant scrutiny and significantly restricting his movements.
No Witness Influence: The Court has expressly barred Sisodia from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence—a condition that, if violated, could lead to his re-arrest.
Political Fallout
Despite his release on bail, the political reality for Manish Sisodia is stark. His former prominence in the Delhi Cabinet, where he held 18 crucial portfolios, has been eclipsed by the ongoing scandal. After his resignation, Atishi Marlena took over many of his roles, including the pivotal departments of Education, Finance, and Public Works. Atishi now manages over 13 departments, filling the vacuum left by Sisodia’s departure and highlighting the difficulties he would face in regaining his previous influence.
Even more damaging to Sisodia’s political prospects is the administrative deadlock caused by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s own legal troubles. Kejriwal, who is also embroiled in the Liquor policy case, is currently behind bars, preventing any proposal for Sisodia’s reappointment to the Cabinet from being moved. Without Kejriwal’s intervention, Sisodia remains politically sidelined, with little chance of returning to power in the near future.
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