Manish Sisodia Released on Bail in Delhi Liquor Policy Case by Supreme Court, Months After Arrest
Manish Sisodia, a key member of AAP, was set free from Tihar Jail in Delhi on Friday evening – as heavy rain finally fell after dark clouds loomed over the city all day. This came after the Supreme Court granted bail to the former Deputy Chief Minister in the alleged liquor policy scandal.
Mr. Sisodia – who served in various roles in the Delhi government, including Education – was greeted by enthusiastic AAP followers. Standing in the rain, he delivered a brief speech.
“Since the morning, I have felt deeply grateful to Babasaheb (Ambedkar). I am unsure how I can repay this debt to Babasaheb…”
“I have been released from jail thanks to your support, divine blessings, and the power of truth, and most importantly, Babasaheb’s vision – that the Constitution of this country will safeguard Opposition leaders if a dictatorial regime comes to power and imprisons them with dictatorial laws…”
#WATCH | AAP leader Manish Sisodia says, “I have come out of jail due to your love, God’s blessings & power of truth, and biggest of all, the dream of Babasaheb that if any dictatorial government comes to power and puts Opposition leaders behind bars by forming dictatorial laws,… pic.twitter.com/DCHDuVYGyE
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2024
“I assure you, with the power of the Constitution, Arvind Kejriwal will also be released from jail…” Mr. Sisodia declared before heading to Mr. Kejriwal’s residence in Civil Lines, Delhi.
Mr. Sisodia was granted bail after his eighth appeal. However, he was permitted to visit his ailing wife last year.
Similar to Mr. Sisodia, the Chief Minister was arrested in March by federal agencies in connection to the liquor policy case. While Mr. Kejriwal has been granted bail by the Enforcement Directorate, he has not received bail from the CBI.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court criticized the nearly 18-month detention of Mr. Sisodia as a “miscarriage of justice” and questioned the trial court and the Delhi High Court for disregarding his right to freedom by keeping him “incarcerated indefinitely.” Mr. Sisodia was detained by the CBI in February 2023 and by the ED 12 days later.
“In a case concerning the life and liberty of a citizen – one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution – a citizen should not have to struggle for bail,” said a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan.
Mr. Sisodia should not have to endure a lengthy process for bail, the court emphasized.
“Triumph Of Truth”: AAP
The release of Mr. Sisodia has been hailed by his party as a “triumph of truth”.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, in a celebratory post on X (formerly Twitter), proclaimed “the entire nation is elated today as Manish Sisodia, the hero of the education revolution in Delhi, was granted bail.”
दिल्ली शिक्षा क्रांति के नायक मनीष सिसोदिया जी को बेल मिलने से पूरे देश में आज ख़ुशी है। मैं माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट का हृदय की गहराई से आभार व्यक्त करता हूँ।
मनीष जी को 530 दिन तक जेल की सलाख़ों के पीछे रखा गया। उनका जुर्म इतना था कि उन्होंने गरीबों के बच्चों को एक बेहतर भविष्य… pic.twitter.com/Mai1Zqi6XU
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) August 9, 2024
“This verdict is a rebuke to the authoritarianism of the Centre. He spent 17 months in jail. His life was ruined during those months. He could have contributed to the education of children during that time,” said Sanjay Singh – who was also detained and later granted bail by the Supreme Court in this case.
“Satyamev Jayate,” shared Delhi’s Education Minister Atishi on X.
Supreme Court Criticizes Lower Courts Regarding Sisodia
In the release of Mr. Sisodia, the court also criticized the actions of the federal agencies, with Justice Gavai highlighting that “493 witnesses were named in this case, and there is no possibility that Manish Sisodia’s trial will conclude anytime soon.”
Regarding the allegation of evidence tampering by Mr. Sisodia, the court noted that “most evidence is in the form of documents” and that these documents were already in possession of the investigating agencies.
The court has imposed certain conditions on Mr. Sisodia, including the requirement to surrender his passport and report to the Investigating Officer every Monday.
Mr. Sisodia has been warned by the court that any evidence tampering will result in his return to jail.
Waiting for response to load…