SC refuses to entertain bail plea of Manish Sisodia, suggests petitioner to move to HC

Sisodia was arrested under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 477 A (intent to defraud) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the bail plea of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is in CBI custody in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy case.

“We are not inclined to entertain the petition under Article 32 at this stage,” a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha said. The bench observed that just because the incident has happened in Delhi, Sisodia cannot come to the apex court directly as he has his remedies before the trial court concerned as well as the Delhi High Court.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, questioned the need of arresting the AAP leader saying policy decisions were taken at different rung and moreover, no money was recovered. He also said that the Lieutenant Governor was also part of the policy decision in the excise policy.

As the apex court observed that it would not entertain the plea at this stage, Singhvi withdrew it.

AAP observes ‘black day’, holds protests in several states against Manish Sisodia’s arrest

Sisodia was arrested under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 477 A (intent to defraud) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Meanwhile, AAP leaders have defended Sisodia saying that he is ‘innocent’. On Monday, the party members will stage protest near BJP headquarters.

Sisodia’s arrest could lead to a crisis in the Delhi government as he handled 18 of the total 33 departments. He looked after departments such as health, education, public works department (PWD), services, finance, power, home and urban development.

He is also in charge of all other departments not specifically allotted to any minister. Apart from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government has six cabinet ministers, including jailed Satyendar Jain who is still a minister without a portfolio.

Manish Sisodia arrested in excise duty scam: What’s next for Delhi Deputy CM?

The Delhi deputy CM’s arrest comes after that of Satyendar Jain, Delhi’s the then health minister, in June last year. Both have led what the Aam Aadmi Party describes as the successful transformation of Delhi’s education and health services, contributing to the party’s popularity and continued electoral success.