Excise policy case: SC defers hearing Manish Sisodia’s bail plea after judge recuses himself

Last year, the AAP leader was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate on charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the excise policy case.

With Justice Kumar recusing himself, the bench presided by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and also comprising Justice Sanjay Karol said that it will be heard in the week commencing July 15.

The SC had denied bail to Sisodia on October 10, 2023. Though it raised doubts on some of the charges levelled against him by the ED, the court, however, said there is “material and evidence” which “tentatively” supports one of the charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 – that the 14 wholesale distributors had earned “excess profit” of Rs 338 crore in a period of about 10 months during which the new excise policy was in operation.

Subsequently, the court also dismissed petitions seeking review of the October 10 order.

On June 4, 2024, a vacation bench of the SC declined to entertain Sisodia’s bail plea after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that the final chargesheet/prosecution complaint against him would be filed by July 3.

Noting the assurance, the SC bench disposed of the bail plea and said Sisodia could revive it once the chargesheet is filed.

Appearing for Sisodia Thursday, Senior Advocate A M Singhvi said the matter is of extreme urgency. He added that the trial was yet to start and urged the court to fix an early date.

The bench then went on to fix the plea for hearing in the week commencing July 15.