New Delhi:
The Supreme Court decision granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was hailed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a “victory of truth” today. Almost eighteen months after his apprehension in the purported liquor policy case, Mr. Sisodia was given bail.
AAP leader Raghav Chadha responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling by saying, “Manish Sisodia, the hero of the Delhi education revolution, got bail today, which makes the entire country happy.” I am truly appreciative of the Honorable Supreme Court. Manish ji spent 530 days incarcerated. His transgression was providing a brighter future for the impoverished youngsters. Your Manish uncle is returning, dear children.”
Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan delivered the Supreme Court’s decision, which said that Mr. Sisodia’s imprisonment would constitute a “travesty of justice” if the trial didn’t make any progress. 18-month imprisonment…trial hasn’t yet started, and the appellant’s right to a prompt trial has been violated. Justice Gavai said, “The trial court and High Court should have given this due weight.”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tweeted on X, “Manish Sisodia’s bail is a victory of truth.”
This decision is a blow to the dictatorship of the Center. He spent 17 months behind bars. Those few months wrecked his life. At that time, he might have contributed to children’s education,” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh stated.”We hope that justice and bail will also be granted to other party leaders, Satyendar Jain and Arvind Kejriwal. I submit to the Supreme Court for this decision.”
The Supreme Court of India granted bail to Manish Sisodia on Friday.
Mr. Sisodia has been at the center of a scandal concerning the now-canceled Delhi excise policy 2021–22 since his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 of last year. On March 9, 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained him in relation to a money laundering case that was the result of the CBI’s First Information Report (FIR). Two days later, on February 28, 2023, Mr. Sisodia resigned from his position as minister.
Also Read: http://Delhi High Court Update
“Satyamev Jayate,” Delhi Education Minister Atishi wrote on X.
The Supreme Court asked the investigating agencies about the schedule for the trial’s end during its lengthy deliberations before deciding to grant bail. Given that there were an astounding 493 witnesses listed in the proceedings against Mr. Sisodia, the court asked the authorities to give a more precise estimate of when the trial would likely end.
In a previous hearing, the court expressed concern over the protracted nature of the legal process. “Where do you see the end of the tunnel in these cases?” the court had asked.
After his bail requests were denied by a trial court on April 30 and the Delhi High Court on May 21, the matter made its way to the Supreme Court.
morning, some eighteen months after the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister was taken into custody by the CBI in connection with the purported liquor policy issue. The court delivered a strong ruling, stating that he should have a “speedy trial” and that a refusal at this point would compel him to climb the system again. The Supreme Court remarked, “It would be like making him play snakes and ladders.”
“Bail Is The Rule, Jail An Exception”.
The High Court and Trial Court should have given this the appropriate consideration. It has slipped the minds of judges that refusing bail is not appropriate punishment. The court stated, “Primary bail is the rule, and jail is an exception,” admitting that the lengthy detention was unsustainable.
The court said, “Bail can’t be rejected as punishment (of the accused)”.
The lower court’s argument that Mr. Sisodia shouldn’t be released since he tried to postpone the trial was rejected by the court, which strongly stated that the accused’s right to liberty is “sacrosanct”.
A citizen cannot be forced to run from pillar to post in a case involving their life and liberty, which is one of the most sacred rights protected by the Constitution, the court ruled.
On February 26, 2023, the CBI detained Mr. Sisodia; less than two weeks later, the Enforcement Directorate also took him into custody. After an upset Supreme Court ruled that he could not remain in jail indefinitely while the prosecution works toward an uncertain trial date, he was now given bail in both cases.
