The Supreme Court has ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cannot hold former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia in custody for an “indefinite period” in connection with Delhi excise policy cases. The court instructed Additional Solicitor General SV Raju to start charge-level arguments immediately after a chargesheet appeared. Sisodia was in custody in the excise policy cases, which are currently under investigation by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. The CBI arrested Manish on February 26 for his purported role in the “scam” and remains in police custody. He stepped down from the Delhi government on February 28, 2021.
Manish Sisodia Can’t Remain Behind Bars Forever, Says the Supreme Court
Manish Sisodia, who got imprisoned in connection with excise policy cases under inquiry by both the CBI and the ED, was getting his bail requests heard by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court to the CBI and ED
Manish Sisodia, a former deputy CM and AAP leader, cannot stay in detention for an “indefinite time” in connection with the Delhi excise policy cases, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday.
“The start date of the trial Court’s hearings…”
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti’s panel questioned Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the two investigating agencies, about the start date of the trial Court’s hearings on the charges against Sisodia.
“You cannot imprison him for an extended period. You cannot confine him in this manner. Arguments about charges should start right away after a chargesheet appears in a case,” the bench instructed Raju.
“Why haven’t the charges-related arguments started yet, and when will they start? Raju received a directive from Justice Khanna to respond by tomorrow (Tuesday).
“CV Raju: Need to set an appropriate example”
The proceedings against Mr. Sisodia are in the provision 207 of the CrPC (supply of records to the defendant) stage, according to CV Raju, who informed the bench that the charge-level arguments will start shortly after that.
Raju stated during the one-hour hearing that an appropriate example needs to get established if a person with the title of deputy chief minister and 18 portfolios, including the excise department, accepts a bribe.
The Supreme Court heard Sisodia’s bail applications
Sisodia, who was in custody in connection with excise policy cases under investigation by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was having his bail requests heard by the top court.
“There is enough proof to deny bail.”
According to Mr. Raju, there is enough proof to deny bail that Sisodia altered the evidence by ruining his cell phones and that laundering cash is an offense.
For his purported role in the “scam,” Sisodia got arrested by the CBI on February 26. Since then, he remains in police custody. On March 9, after interrogating him in Tihar Jail, the ED took him into custody in a money laundering case arising from the CBI FIR. On February 28, Sisodia stepped down from the Delhi government.
;
Pingback: Supreme Court Order On Same Sex Marriages