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In a setback to AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, the Supreme Court has denied him bail in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying the accusation of “windfall gains” of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers was “tentatively supported” by evidence.
As per PTI report, A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, which termed several charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Sisodia as debatable, said, “However, there is one clear ground or charge in the complaint filed under the PML Act, which is free from perceptible legal challenge and the facts as alleged are tentatively supported by material and evidence.” It referred to the CBI’s charge sheet, which said the excess amount of 7 per cent commission/fee earned by the wholesale distributors of Rs 338 crore constitute an offence as defined under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which relates to a public servant being bribed.
Justice Khanna said while pronouncing the order continued, “We are dismissing the application for bail, but we have made one pointed observation which is that they have assured that the trial will be concluded within six to eight months.
The bench said as per the ED’s complaint, the amount of Rs 338 crore constituted the proceeds of crime.
