NEW DELHI: After 17 months of imprisonment, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
The ruling, announced on August 9, 2024, has been hailed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a “victory of truth,” igniting celebrations across the party’s headquarters in New Delhi.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after Sisodia’s legal team argued that the prolonged delay in his trial violated his right to a speedy trial, a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
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The court noted that Sisodia had been deprived of this right, stating that keeping him in jail without a conclusion to the trial was unjustified. The bench emphasised that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception,” and highlighted the lack of evidence against Sisodia, who faced allegations of corruption and money laundering related to the excise policy.
AAP leaders expressed their relief and joy following the ruling. Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, remarked on social media that divine justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed this sentiment, calling the bail a triumph of truth. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP-led central government for what he described as a deliberate attempt to harass Sisodia and other opposition leaders.
The celebrations at AAP’s headquarters were marked by music, sweets, and jubilant leaders, all praising Sisodia’s contributions to Delhi’s education system.
Gopal Rai, another senior AAP figure, noted that Sisodia had presented an exemplary model for education, which he believed was a key reason for the government’s attempts to silence him.
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Sa urabh Bharadwaj, a cabinet minister in Delhi, pointed out that the Supreme Court’s decision sets a precedent for the judiciary, reinforcing that prolonged incarceration without trial is unacceptable.
He also hoped other leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Satyender Jain, would soon be granted similar relief.
As Sisodia prepares to return to his family after nearly a year and a half, the AAP remains steadfast in its claims that the charges against him were politically motivated, asserting that the public will respond to the BJP’s alleged misuse of power in the upcoming elections.