The Delhi Rouse Avenue court has dismissed the second bail plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia. The bail plea was filed in connection with cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22.
Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on 26th February 2023 in connection with the case. He has been in judicial custody since then. In his bail plea, Sisodia had argued that he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his arrest was politically motivated. However, the court rejected his plea, stating that there was sufficient evidence to suggest his involvement in the case.
The Delhi liquor excise policy was introduced by the Delhi government in November 2021. However, it was scrapped in July 2022 following allegations of corruption and irregularities. The ED and CBI are currently investigating the matter, and several arrests have been made in connection with the case.
Sisodia is a key figure in the AAP, and his arrest has been a major setback for the party. The AAP has alleged that the BJP-led central government is using the CBI and ED to target its political opponents. The BJP has denied these allegations, stating that the investigations are being conducted independently and without any political interference.