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SC Judge Recusal Delays Sisodia’s Bail
A Supreme Court judge withdrew from hearing former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, resulting in its adjournment to the following week. Sisodia, arrested by the CBI and later by the ED in connection with irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, had approached the court citing nearly 16 months of incarceration without trial commencement.
The Supreme Court, led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Sanjay Karol, and Sanjay Kumar, informed Sisodia’s counsel that Justice Kumar recused himself due to personal reasons. Despite pleas for urgency from Sisodia’s legal team, the bench directed the matter to be listed for the next week’s hearing after consulting the Chief Justice of India.
Sisodia had previously sought bail in the Supreme Court following a denial by the Delhi High Court on May 21. The apex court, in an earlier ruling on October 30, 2023, had refused bail, allowing for a fresh application if circumstances changed or if the trial faced prolonged delays.
The ED has filed multiple complaints recently, with the trial court yet to act on the latest submissions. Meanwhile, the CBI’s investigation into the excise policy scam continues, having recently led to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
