HC rejects Sisodia's plea for interim bail in money laundering case
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Amid the arrest and custody of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, eight opposition parties write PM Modi on the matter.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to grant interim bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam so that he could care for his ailing wife in light of the "extremely serious" allegations against him and the potential for "evidence tampering."
However, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma permitted him to visit his wife at her convenience one day between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm.
Noting that the case concerns “extremely serious allegations” and there is a possibility of evidence tampering if Sisodia, who held several positions in the city’s AAP government, is released, the judge said, “the court finds it very difficult to persuade itself to release the petitioner on interim bail for 6 weeks.” The court, which had earlier called for a report from LNJP Hospital about Sisodia’a wife, also suggested that she be examined by a board of doctors at AIIMS here. It directed that she should be given the best medical treatment.
The court noted the medical report from LNJP Hospital said the condition of Sisodia’s wife was stable and she required close monitoring. The former Delhi deputy chief minister had sought release on a temporary basis for six weeks contending he was the sole caretaker of his ailing wife. His plea for regular bail in the matter is pending before the high court.
Sisodia, who was arrested on March 9, is currently in judicial custody in the case lodged by the ED.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the plea for interim bail on grounds of the possibility of evidence tampering.
The ED lawyer also claimed Sisodia’s wife has been suffering from such a medical condition for the last 20 years.
The high court had earlier rejected Sisodia’s bail plea on May 30 in the corruption case filed by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam, saying he is an influential person and the allegations against him are very serious in nature.
The Delhi government implemented the policy on November 17, 2021, but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.
In the CBI case, the high court has kept the interim bail plea pending for July.
With PTI inputs
