Sisodia moves Delhi HC for bail after SC refuses to intervene
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Manish Sisodia, Aam Aadmi Party leader and former deputy Chief Minister, moved Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court for regular bail after he was arrested this week over alleged irregularities in the capital’s liquor excise policy.
The plea will be heard Saturday, which is also the last day of his remand period.
Sisodia had moved the Supreme Court earlier but the apex court refused to intervene asking him to pursue available legal remedies at the lower courts instead of directly approaching the highest court as it would ‘set a very wrong precedent’.
Sisodia was arrested Sunday after an eight-hour interrogation.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said he was arrested over 'evasive replies'. The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court then gave the CBI custody of Sisodia for five days.
Sisodia, who held the Delhi government's excise and education portfolios, among others, resigned from the cabinet and as deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday after the Supreme Court refused to entertain his plea.
Delhi Health minister Satyender Jain who has been jailed for nine months on money laundering charges also quit.
Meanwhile, ministers Kailash Gahlot and Raaj Kumar Anand have been given temporary charge of ministries headed by Sisodia and Jain.
e opposition had hit out at the Centre for Sisodia’s arrest accusing the BJP government of using investigative agencies under its ambit to target rivals.
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the BJP. ‘Two people who brought laurels to India have been jailed by PM Modi. Excise policy was an excuse… there was no scam. Sisodia was arrested as he did good work in education… Jain was arrested as he did good work’, he said.
AAP and Sisodia have denied all allegations claiming that the cases showed BJP’s fear of their growing influence ahead of key Assembly elections this year and the 2024 general election.
The BJP as well as the Congress held separate protests against the AAP government demanding Kejriwal’s resignation over allegations against Sisodia.
