Manish Sisodia’s bail plea gets rejected: Here’s why

Manish Sisodia had his bail plea dismissed by the Delhi High Court on May 30. The case in question relates to alleged corruption in the execution of the previous liquor policy in the capital, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is handling the matter.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, presiding over the bench, rejected the bail application by the former deputy chief minister of Delhi. The court cited concerns that, due to his influential position, there was a risk of the applicant exerting influence over the witnesses involved in the case.

In opposition to Manish Sisodia's bail application, the CBI expressed its disagreement and emphasised the applicant's close association with the executive, offices and bureaucrats, highlighting his influential status. 

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The CBI argued that this influence and clout were evident and further alleged that Sisodia's party colleagues in prominent positions were making inaccurate claims with the intention of influencing the ongoing investigation. 

The CBI also contended that these statements made by the political leader(s) during press conferences indicated a collective effort on the part of Sisodia and his party colleagues to protect the accused individuals, ANI reported.

In its response submitted to the Delhi High Court, the CBI argued that granting bail to the applicant would significantly harm the ongoing investigation. As per the CBI, the applicant does not fulfill the criteria set by the 'triple test' for bail. 

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The CBI acknowledged the importance of personal liberty but highlighted that it was not an absolute right and was subject to reasonable limitations, including safeguarding the interests of the state and the public.

Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Manish Sisodia, earlier argued that the CBI lacked any evidence to establish Sisodia's involvement in the alleged irregularities surrounding the framing and implementation of the government's excise policy. 

Krishnan further pointed out that all other individuals accused in the CBI case had been granted bail, except for Sisodia. Sisodia's arrest took place on February 26, 2023, more than six months after the FIR was registered, Krishnan noted.

Also, Krishnan emphasised that - throughout the entire six-month investigation preceding Sisodia's arrest - there was no indication that he had posed any threat to any witness involved in the case.