The Supreme Court on Monday refused bail to former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in connection with allegations of financial irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy, finding that at least one charge of windfall gains of ₹338 crore made by wholesalers was tentatively established.
The decision comes as a blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Sisodia who have maintained that the case was nothing but a political ploy to derail Delhi's governance.
"There is one clear ground or charge in the complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which is free from perceptible legal challenge and the facts as alleged [of ₹338 crore being earned by liquor wholesaler under the new excise policy] are tentatively supported by material and evidence," said a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, referring to the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
This was found by the court to be "equally relevant" in the charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The CBI charge sheet said the ₹338 crore earned by wholesale distributors in the 10 months that the now-scrapped policy was in place constituted an offence defined under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which relates to a public servant being bribed.
"We have dealt with certain aspects of the case which are doubtful. But one aspect, with regard to transfer of money of Rs 338 crore, is tentatively established. Therefore, we have dismissed the bail application," the bench observed orally in open court.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.