The bail plea of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy scam, being investigated by the CBI, was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma refused to grant relief to the AAP leader, who was taken into custody on February 26, stating that the allegations against him are of a highly serious nature.
During the bail plea hearing, the high court highlighted Sisodia’s influential status and expressed concerns that witnesses could be influenced if he were to be released on bail.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged involvement in corruption related to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which has since been revoked. The arrest followed several rounds of questioning.
The AAP leader has contested the trial court’s March 31 decision, which rejected his bail plea, asserting that he was the “architect” of the “scam” and played a pivotal role in the alleged criminal conspiracy involving the receipt of advance kickbacks amounting to Rs 90-100 crore, intended for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government.
Furthermore, he remains in custody for a connected money laundering case.
(With PTI inputs)