Supreme Court grants Manish Sisodia bail in Delhi liquor policy case

The top court has blasted the lower courts for not giving him bail calling it a "violation of fundamental rights".

"Incarceration of 18 months... Trial not having even commenced and appellant has been deprived of right to speedy trial," Justice BR Gavai said as quoted by NDTV.

"Keeping appellant behind bars for unlimited time will deny fundamental right. Appellant has deep roots in society... no apprehension of fleeing. Anyway... conditions can be imposed," he added. 

Sisodia has been asked by the court to surrender his passport and not visit Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office.

Kejriwal, who heads the AAP, is also in jail in the liquor policy case.

"Trial court and High Court ought to have given due weightage to this. Courts have forgotten that bail ought not to be withheld as punishment. Principle bail is the rule and jail an exception...," the court said as quoted by NDTV.

"Bail can't be rejected as punishment (of the accused)," it added. 

Reacting to the verdict, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "Bail is a Matter of Right. You cannot keep someone in jail during the trial. During the hearing, the Supreme Court remarked on the unhappiness with the High Courts and Trial Courts about hesitation in granting bail."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, "As part of bail conditions, Manish Sisodia has to furnish a ₹2 lakh bail bond, surrender his passport and report to the police station, like any ordinary criminal. Bail after 17 months with such stringent conditions is a disgrace for Delhi DCM. But then nothing shames AAP leaders.

"The larger question however is - who steps in for Kejriwal on 15th Aug? Sisodia or Aatishi Marlena?"