Manish Sisodia, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader, faces renewed scrutiny in the alleged liquor policy scandal. The Delhi High Court has dismissed his bail plea in both the ED and CBI investigations related to the case. Previously, his bail application was also rejected by a lower court. It is anticipated that a bail petition will be submitted to the Supreme Court on his behalf. Sisodia was apprehended by the CBI on February 26, 2023, regarding the purported liquor policy irregularities. Subsequently, on March 9, 2023, he was detained by the ED and has remained incarcerated since. Despite filing a bail plea in the Delhi High Court, it was turned down. However, the court did grant Sisodia permission to visit his unwell spouse once weekly. During the bail hearing, the Delhi High Court, led by Justice Swarkanta Sharma, highlighted significant points. It was stated that Sisodia misused his power and played a key role in formulating the excise policy, which eroded public confidence. The court expressed concerns about potential evidence tampering if bail were granted, noting the substantial proof presented by the ED and CBI. The liquor policy scandal implicates the South Group in an alleged Rs 100 crore scam to manipulate the excise policy and purportedly funnel funds into the Aam Aadmi Party's 2022 Goa election campaign. Additionally, the ED has initiated legal proceedings against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the same case. While Kejriwal has interim bail until June 1 for election campaigning, he must surrender by June 2. Moreover, K. Kavita, daughter of former Chief Minister KCR Rao and leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, also faced arrest by the ED in relation to the alleged liquor policy scandal. The ED contends that Kavita is linked to the 'South Group,' which allegedly transferred a bribe of Rs 100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party.
