Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Kumar on Thursday recused himself from hearing the bail plea of senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the alleged liquor policy scam. This development was announced at the beginning of the hearing by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who informed senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, about Justice Kumar's decision to withdraw due to personal reasons.
Following this recusal, the case is set to be listed in the week starting July 15 before a different bench, as per the directions of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who manages the court's roster. Earlier in the week, Sisodia’s counsel had urged CJI DY Chandrachud to expedite the listing of his bail pleas.
Last month, the Supreme Court had disposed of Sisodia’s earlier plea for bail in corruption and money laundering cases. This decision followed an undertaking by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who assured that the final charge sheet in the liquor policy case would be filed by July 3.
The Delhi High Court had previously denied bail to Sisodia, noting that he did not meet the criteria required under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and the conditions for granting bail in a corruption case.
Despite denying bail, the High Court allowed Sisodia to continue meeting his ailing wife weekly, under the terms set by the trial court. In March, the Supreme Court dismissed Sisodia's curative petitions against the rejection of his review pleas, which sought bail following the court’s 2023 verdict denying him bail in the liquor policy case.
The Supreme Court’s judgement from October 30, 2023, had denied Sisodia bail but allowed him to reapply if the trial did not progress significantly within three months.
In April, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court had denied Sisodia's second request for regular bail, citing delays in the case proceedings primarily due to Sisodia’s actions.
Recently, a Delhi court extended Sisodia’s judicial custody till July 15 in the excise policy case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This case has seen multiple legal manoeuvres and arguments from both sides, with the ED and other authorities maintaining a firm stance against granting bail to Sisodia, emphasising the severity of the allegations and the need for thorough investigation without interference.
As the legal proceedings continue, the upcoming listing before a new bench will be a critical juncture for Sisodia and his legal team, who continue to seek relief from custody amid ongoing investigations and court hearings. The outcome of this next hearing could have significant implications for both the legal landscape of the case and the political scenario surrounding it.
Follow us
