The Delhi High Court has once again denied bail to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the alleged liquor scam case. The court highlighted that Sisodia was involved in destroying crucial electronic evidence. The decision, reserved on May 14 and pronounced on May 21, stated that Sisodia manipulated the excise policy process by fabricating public responses to achieve his predetermined goals. Instead of considering genuine public opinion, he orchestrated a plan to benefit certain individuals who, in return, provided bribes.
Influence and Risk of Evidence Tampering
The High Court emphasized Sisodia’s influential status in the Delhi government, labeling his actions as a betrayal of democratic principles. Given his power, the court expressed concerns that granting bail could enable him to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses, particularly as several government officials have testified against him. The risk of him attempting to sway these witnesses was deemed significant.
Corruption Charges and Judicial Observations
Justice Swarn Kant Sharma, in rejecting the bail plea, noted that Sisodia attempted to mislead the expert committee with a fabricated report, falsely showing public support for the excise policy. This policy, according to the court, was designed to benefit specific individuals through corrupt means. The court also observed that Sisodia failed the “triple test” for bail, particularly as he admitted to destroying two phones used in connection with the case.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Despite these findings, the High Court has permitted Sisodia to meet his wife weekly, as per the trial court’s order. Moving forward, Sisodia has the option to file a fresh bail petition in the trial court. While both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have opposed his bail, Sisodia argued that the delay in the case proceedings should justify bail. The Supreme Court had previously rejected his bail plea but allowed him to apply again in the trial court without the previous denial impacting the new decision.
Next Steps for Sisodia
With the High Court’s decision, Manish Sisodia’s legal team will now prepare to submit a new bail application to the trial court. The Supreme Court’s earlier ruling ensures that this application will be considered independently, providing Sisodia another opportunity to argue for his release.
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