New Delhi: High Court No bail, Manish Sisodia may influence witnesses

New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's bail plea in the 2021-22 excise policy case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

AAP will now move to the Supreme Court. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma pronounced the order on AAP leader's bail plea after having reserved it on May 11.

The judge said that the nature of the allegations is quite serious that the excise policy was formed at the instance of South Group with mala fide intention to give undue advantage to them.

"Such a conduct points towards the misconduct of the applicant who was admittedly a public servant and was holding a very high position," the judge said.

While denying him bail, the judge also said that Sisodia being an influential person can influence witnesses, who are also public servants.

"The allegations are very serious in nature. The accused was a public servant... We have not examined the excise policy nor the power of the government. However, the applicant being a powerful person, there is the possibility of him influencing the witnesses," Justice Sharma said.

Sisodia had challenged before high court Special Judge M. K. Nagpal's order denying him bail on March 31.

Judge Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court had prima facie held that Sisodia played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy case.