Court expected to decide on Manish Sisodia's bail on April 28

New Delhi: A court is expected to pronounce its order on former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s bail application on April 28 in a case of money laundering connected to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, PTI reported.

Special Judge MK Nagpal deferred the matter on Wednesday, informing that the order was not ready. He was expected to deliver the same on the day.

Earlier, the court reserved its order after hearing arguments by Sisodia’s plea that his custody was no longer required and he needed bail. But the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed his application, saying that the investigation was at a “crucial” stage. It alleged that Sisodia planted fabricated e-mails to show there was public approval for the policy. Further, it added that it had found evidence that he was complicit in the crime.

On March 31, the court dismissed Sisodia's bail application in the corruption case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying he was "prima facie the architect" in the criminal conspiracy behind alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around ₹ 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government.

Releasing him then would adversely affect the investigation, the court had observed.

CBI and ED had arrested Sisodia on corruption charges in the formulation and execution of the rolled-back Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and related money laundering.