CBI rejects Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, alleges criminal conspiracy with South Indian accused.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. In the affidavit filed on July 27, the central agency stated that Sisodia had fabricated public opinion regarding the erstwhile Delhi excise policy.

• The CBI alleged that Sisodia was involved in a criminal conspiracy with individuals from South India to manipulate the excise policy and monopolize the wholesale and retail liquor trade in Delhi.
• The agency argued that Sisodia’s wife’s ailment, which was used as a basis for seeking temporary interim medical bail, was not severe enough to warrant his release.
• The CBI claimed that Sisodia’s wife had been receiving treatment for the condition for 23 years, implying that it was not a new development.
• The affidavit also mentioned that Sisodia had withdrawn his medical bail plea before the Delhi High Court after it was revealed that he had suppressed vital facts regarding his wife’s discharge from the hospital.
• The CBI further contended that Sisodia did not meet the triple test for bail, as he was politically influential, had destroyed evidence, and had been non-cooperative during questioning.

The affidavit was filed in response to Sisodia’s plea for bail. The Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bela M Trivedi, and Ujjal Bhuyan had sought responses from the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sisodia’s bail plea.

Source: Bar and Bench