• Source:PTI
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The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in connection with the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The top court noted that Sisodia has been in custody for 17 months and trial has not yet begun, depriving him of the right to speedy trial.

A top court bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan granted bail to Sisodia in both CBI and ED cases. Sisodia had sought bail, contending that he has been in custody for 17 months and the trial against him has not yet begun. Both federal probe agencies- ED and CBI, had opposed his bail pleas.

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The AAP leader was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, over his alleged role in the liquor policy case. He was later arrested by the ED in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped policy on March 9, 2023. Following this, he resigned from the Delhi Cabinet on February 28, 2023. 

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The top court said that Sisodia is set to be released on bail on a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of the like amount, as reported by news agency PTI. While granting bail to Sisodia, the top court stated that it would be a travesty of justice to relegate him to the trial court for seeking bail in these cases.

Here Are the Top Quotes From SC Judgment: 

- “Manish Sisodia is in custody for 17 months and trial has not yet commenced; this deprives his right to speedy trial.”

- “Right to a speedy trial is a sacrosanct right... Bail cannot be opposed saying that the crime is serious. In matters of liberty, every day counts."

- “High court and trial court are playing safe in matters of bail... Bail is the rule, and jail is an exception."

- “Keeping him behind bars for completion of trial will be nothing but a violation of Article 21."

- “Procedures cannot be made a mistress of justice."

- “Keeping him behind bars for the purpose of completion of trial will be nothing but a violation of Article 21.”

- “We have noted judgments where it says in periods of long incarceration, bail can be granted."

- “Sending the appellant back to the trial court would be like playing a game of snakes and ladders with him.”

- “Liberty reserved by this court on June 4 will have to be interpreted as reviving of prayer before this court."

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