Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, who is serving sentence in the Delhi liquor scam case, had applied for bail and pleaded with the court that there is no one to look after my wife and children, but the court did not grant bail. Now the next hearing will be on March 24.
Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia's troubles have increased once again in the liquor scam case. Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the CBI case related to the Delhi liquor scam case. Despite all the arguments, the court has not granted bail to Sisodia. Now the hearing on Manish Sisodia's bail plea will be held on March 24. The decision comes after the court set a deadline of 60 days for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to oppose Manish Sisodia's bail plea and file a chargesheet after his arrest.
Manish Sisodia appealed to the court
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Manish Sisodia, argued that I have complied with the notices issued to me. Involved in investigation, the requirements of custodial interrogation no longer survive as this stage has already been passed. Offenses are punishable for up to 7 years. There is nothing material to show that I can influence the witnesses. My wife and children are alone and I should be given bail.
CBI expressed strong opposition
The CBI claimed, "Sisodia was arrested on February 26, 2023 and if released on bail, he would jeopardize our investigation as destruction of evidence was a constant practice of his." If given, it will affect our investigation and they can be compromised as the impact and interference remain massive."
Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, Advocate DP Singh said that Manish Sisodia said that he destroyed the phones because he wanted to upgrade. Countering this, the CBI said, "As per our investigation, he (Manish Sisodia) did this to destroy the chat. He may have done this only to destroy the evidence, further he can destroy the evidence and use it." cannot be ignored."
Opposing Sisodia's bail plea, the CBI also said that between March 14 and 17, 2021, Sisodia was staying at South Group Oberoi and there he prepared a note and took its printout. The CBI said that they have received photocopies of 36 pages. Then there used to be meetings and the print out.
The CBI further said that during the peak time of COVID, when people were under house arrest, the South Group took a chartered plane and frequently traveled to Delhi, stayed in hotels in Delhi and were licensed against all norms.
"While the government was planning to change Delhi's excise policy..it took legal opinion from Mukul Rohatgi, former CJI Rajan Gogoi and former judge KG Balakrishnan. These legal opinions advocated status quo."