The Supreme Court is set to hear the bail pleas of senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Monday in relation to the alleged liquor policy case. According to the apex court's website, Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan will resume the hearing on July 29.
In the last hearing, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), requesting them to file their replies to Sisodia's bail pleas. The court had set a returnable date for July 29, stating they would continue the matter on Monday.
Sisodia's counsel argued that the senior AAP leader has been incarcerated for 16 months, with the trial not progressing since October 2023. Previously, on October 30, the Supreme Court had denied bail to Sisodia but mentioned that if the trial does not advance significantly within three months, he could apply for bail again.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court had refused Sisodia's bail request on April 30, marking the second time he sought regular bail. The trial court's order indicated that the delays in the case proceedings were primarily due to actions attributable to Sisodia, thereby dismissing his claims of undue delay.
Following this, the Delhi High Court also denied bail to Sisodia, stating that he did not meet the triple test criteria for granting bail in the corruption case, nor did he satisfy the twin conditions required under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Challenging these decisions, Sisodia filed special leave petitions before the Supreme Court. Last month, the apex court disposed of his pleas seeking bail in corruption and money laundering cases after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that the final charge sheet in the liquor policy case would be filed by July 3.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court extended Sisodia's judicial custody until July 31. He was presented via video conferencing from Tihar Jail following the expiry of his previously granted judicial custody.
The upcoming hearing is crucial for Sisodia, as it will determine whether he can secure bail after an extended period of incarceration and legal battles. The outcome could also have significant implications for the ongoing investigations and the broader political landscape.
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