New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (December 9) said that it would hear on December 11 plea filed by by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia seeking relaxation of bail conditions requiring him to report to the investigating officer twice a week in the excise policy cases.
Sisodia’s plea was mentioned before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Sisodia.
“Day after tomorrow,” the bench said, while agreeing to list the plea on December 11.
The top court had on November 22 agreed to hear Sisodia’s pleas seeking relaxation of bail conditions and sought the responses from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) while issuing notices to the central agencies.
Apex Court on August 9 granted bail to Sisodia in CBI, ED cases
The Supreme Court granted bail to Sisodia on August 9 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. The bench, while granting bail to Sisodia, said 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 top court had said while granting bail to Sisodia in both cases.
What conditions apex court imposed while granting bail to Sisodia?
The top court, while granting bail to Sisodia, had directed the AAP leader 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.
