SC Reserves Order On Bail Pleas Of Manish Sisodia In Delhi Excise Policy Scam

The Supreme Court has questioned the CBI and ED about the extensive duration of their investigation into the Delhi excise policy scam, involving AAP leader Manish Sisodia. The court, which has reserved its order on Sisodia's bail pleas, highlighted the involvement of several hundred witnesses, emphasising the need for a clear timeline for concluding the case.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the central agencies, CBI and ED where they see the end of the tunnel referring to several hundred witnesses in the case while reserving its order on bail pleas filed by AAP leader Manish Sisodia in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

During the hearing, a bench comprising justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan asked additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, who was representing the agencies, “There are 493 witnesses. Assuming even if you drop 50 per cent of them, it comes to nearly 250….”.

“Realistically, tell us where you see the end of the tunnel?" the bench asked Raju, referring to 493 witnesses in both cases. The bench asked the CBI and ED asked how long it would take to conclude the trial in the case.

Raju said there were eight important witnesses each in the cases lodged by the CBI and the ED in the matter. At this juncture, the bench asked, "When can the trial commence?" Raju replied that within a month of the framing of charges, these (eight) witnesses can be examined."

Raju vehemently argued before the bench that Sisodia was not correct in pinning the blame on probe agencies regarding the delay in these cases and, explaining the causes for delay, added that Sisodia and other accused had filed several applications before the trial court seeking documents, which were not relied upon by the prosecuting agencies.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sisodia, said the central agencies had not earlier raised apprehension about tampering of evidence, and it was not raised before the High Court or the trial court. After a detailed hearing, the apex court reserved its order.

On Monday, the apex court asked the Enforcement Directorate how it will draw the line between policy decision and criminality, and also if an increase in profit margin is enough to draw inferences on a decision taken by the Cabinet, of an elected government, and, if yes, then how will the Cabinet function?

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22. The ED arrested him in the money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023.