New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia seeking relaxation of bail conditions requiring him to report to the investigating officer on every Monday and Thursday in the excise polices cases.
A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan, while agreeing to hear Sisodia’s pleas, issued notices to the central agencies.
Apex Court on August 9 granted bail to Sisodia in CBI, ED cases
The apex court had on August 9 granted bail to Sisodia in corruption and money laundering cases registered by the CBI and ED in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy, saying that on account of a long period of incarceration running for around 17 months and the trial even not having been commenced, Sisodia has been deprived of his right to speedy trial.
What did apex court say while granting bail to Sisodia?
“In our view, keeping the appellant behind the bars for an unlimited period of time in the hope of speedy completion of trial would deprive his fundamental right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. As observed time and again, the prolonged incarceration before being pronounced guilty of an offence should not be permitted to become punishment without trial,” the apex court had said while granting bail to Sisodia in both cases.
What conditions apex court imposed while granting bail to Sisodia?
The apex court, while granting bail to Sisodia, had directed Sisodia to surrender his passport with the special court, to report to the Investigating Officer on every Monday and Thursday between 10-11 AM and to not make any attempt either to influence the witnesses or to tamper with the evidence.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Sisodia, told the bench on Friday that he is a respectable person and has appeared before the investigating officers 60 times and that similar condition was imposed by the top court on other accused in the case and the ED has given no objection to all other accused.
“On the next date, we will clarify it,” the bench said and added, “Issue notice, returnable two weeks.”
