(Image source from: x.com/AamAadmiParty)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was released from jail on Friday, 17 months after his arrest, after the Supreme Court granted him bail on the same day. Sisodia was arrested for his alleged involvement in a corruption and money laundering case related to the controversial Delhi Excise Policy scam. A crowd of AAP supporters waved flags and cheered loudly as they waited for Mr Sisodia's arrival from Tihar Jail. Accompanied by his party colleagues Atishi Marlena and Sanjay Singh, Sisodia delivered his opening speech: "It is thanks to your love and the grace of God that I came out.""Dictators may throw us in jail, but Baba Sahib's Constitution will save us" he said. The AAP leader further said, "Ever since this order came to me, I owe every part of my skin to Babasaheb." Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan granted Sisodia bail without imposing any conditions.
The court had reserved judgment on Sisodia's plea on August 6, ruling that he had been denied the right to a speedy trial. “Due to the long prison sentence of about 17 months and the fact that the trial has not yet begun, the applicant (Sisodia) was denied his right to a speedy trial,” the court ruled. On the verdict page, Justice Gavi said, “The order of the Delhi High Court is set aside. He was granted bail in both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases on the grounds that he does not pose any danger."" said while fleeing the country he: “It is time for the courts and supreme courts to accept the principle that bail is the rule and prison is the exception.” He is deeply rooted in society and cannot flee abroad. The court asked Sisodia to post a bail of Rs 200,000, surrender his passport and report to the police if necessary.
Sisodia was first arrested on February 26, 2023 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the controversial and now canceled Delhi Police 2021-22. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him on March 9, 2023 in connection with a money laundering case arising out of a CBI First Information Report (FIR). He resigned from the Delhi Cabinet on February 28, 2023.
