Denying bail, court says Manish Sisodia 'prima facie architect' of conspiracy

Observing that his release "may adversely affect the ongoing investigation and will also seriously hamper the progress thereof", a special CBI Court Friday dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia, senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister. Sisodia, prime accused in the now scrapped Delhi excise policy scandal and currently in judicial custody after being arrested by the CBI and ED, had petitioned the Court seeking bail.

In its order, special CBI Judge M K Nagpal held that Sisodia had "played the most important and vital role" in the criminal conspiracy and "had been deeply involved in formulation as well as implementation of the said policy to ensure achievement of objectives of the said (criminal) conspiracy". In a damaging observation, the court went on to state that "..as per allegations made by prosecution and the evidence collected in support thereof so far" Sisodia "can prima facie be held to be architect of the said criminal conspiracy". The Court further ruled that evidence collected by the CBI "not only shows" Sisodia's "active participation in the above criminal conspiracy, but also the prima facie commission of some substantive offences of the PC (Prevention of Corruption) Act by him".