"No Tampering with Evidence Allowed"
The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, providing significant relief after 17 months of incarceration. Sisodia was granted bail in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. However, the court has set specific conditions for his release.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized to Sisodia's lawyer that while they were granting bail, it was crucial that Sisodia not tamper with any evidence related to the case. Additionally, he must not attempt to influence any witnesses while he is out on bail. To ensure compliance, the court ordered that Sisodia cannot leave the country and must surrender his passport. Furthermore, he is required to report to the police station every Monday.
Bail Granted Due to Delayed Trial
The Supreme Court granted bail to Sisodia in both the CBI and ED cases, primarily citing the delay in the trial as the reason for their decision. The court expressed concern over the extended period of pre-trial detention, stating that "bail is the rule, and jail is the exception." They considered the long duration Sisodia had already spent in jail and concluded that, since the trial is unlikely to conclude in the near future, granting bail was appropriate.