Delhi HC allows Manish Sisodia to meet ailing wife on 3 June, albeit with caveats
Delhi HC allows Sisodia to meet ailing wife at residence on Saturday, 3 June
PremiumThe Delhi High Court on Friday granted former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia permission to meet his ailing wife at their residence on Saturday, 3 June. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to take Sisodia to his residence where he has been allowed to meet his wife from 10am to 5pm.
The high court, which was hearing Sisodia's petitions for regular bail and interim bail in the money laundering case lodged by the ED, reserved its orders.
Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI on 26 February for his alleged role in the scam and has been in custody since then. The high court has already denied him bail in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case on 30 May.
He was arrested on 9 March in the case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and is currently in judicial custody.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, argued earlier also a similar interim bail plea was filed by Sisodia on identical grounds which was later withdrawn, hence no ground was made for calling for a report from the agency.
He said Sisodia’s wife was suffering from the ailment for the last 23 years, and as the AAP leader was holding 18 portfolios, he was a very busy minister and had no time for home.
So she can be taken care of by an attendant, and the court may grant Sisodia permission to go with an escort and visit his wife, Raju said.
Riders set for Manish Sisodia by Delhi HC
The high court made it clear that Sisodia shall not interact with media or any other person except his family members, and also not access phone or internet.
“Let the petitioner be taken to his house tomorrow from 10 AM to 5 PM to meet his wife," the court said.
Manish Sisodia is allowed to meet his ailing wife between 10am to 5pm.
According to reports, Sisodia's wife is suffering from an autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis. The Delhi high court also directed the ED to verify the medical documents of Sisodia’s wife and asked it to file a report positively by Saturday evening.
Sisodia's arrest: The Delhi Liquor Policy scam- a recap
The Delhi government implemented the Delhi liquor policy on November 17, 2021 but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.
According to the CBI and ED, which are probing the cases against Sisodia, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours were extended to licence holders.
Sisodia had challenged the 31 March order of the trial court which had dismissed his bail plea saying he was prima facie the "architect" of the alleged scam and had played the "most important and vital role" in the criminal conspiracy related to alleged payment of advance kickbacks of ₹90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government.
On 30 May, the court had dismissed the bail plea of Sisodia in the excise policy scam being probed by the CBI, saying he is an influential person who could influence witnesses, who are mostly public servants, and the allegations against him are very serious in nature.
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
