Excise Policy Scam: Manish Sisodia Moves Delhi HC Seeking Interim Bail In CBI Case

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday moved before the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail in the Delhi Excise Liquor Scam case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma asked the CBI to make efforts to file a status report in the case by Thursday so that the plea can be considered alongside Sisodia’s regular bail petition, which is scheduled for the same day.

Sisodia has sought interim bail in view of his wife’s ill condition.

On March 31, a trial court in Delhi denied Sisodia’s bail application.

In a comprehensive judgement, special CBI judge MK Nagpal held that, prima facie, the former Excise Minister was a key figure in the criminal conspiracy involving the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.

On February 26, the CBI arrested Sisodia. He was then arrested by the ED on March 9.

It is claimed that Sisodia and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members conspired to issue liquor licenses to certain traders in exchange for bribery.

According to the central agencies, the Excise Policy was altered and profit margins were changed in a way that favoured some traders, and kickbacks were taken in exchange for this.