Manish Sisodia fails to get relief; Delhi High Court rejects interim bail plea in money-laundering case

In a fresh setback for Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, the Delhi High Court on June 5 refused to grant him interim bail in a money-laundering case arising from the alleged excise policy scam, to attend to his ailing wife, in view of the “extremely serious” allegations against him and the possibility of “evidence tampering”.

In a fresh setback for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, the Delhi High Court on June 5 refused to grant him interim bail in a money-laundering case arising from the alleged excise policy scam, to attend to his ailing wife, in view of the "extremely serious" allegations against him and the possibility of "evidence tampering".

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, however, allowed him to meet his wife in custody for one day at her convenience between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Noting that the case concerns “extremely serious allegations” and there is a possibility of evidence tampering if Mr. Sisodia, who held several positions in the city's AAP government, is released, the judge said, “the court finds it very difficult to persuade itself to release the petitioner on interim bail for six weeks.”

The court, which had earlier called for a report from LNJP Hospital about Mr. Sisodia'a wife, also suggested that she be examined by a board of doctors at AIIMS, in New Delhi. It directed that she should be given the best medical treatment.

The court noted the medical report from LNJP Hospital said the condition of Mr. Sisodia's wife was stable and she required close monitoring. The former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister had sought release on a temporary basis for six weeks contending he was the sole caretaker of his ailing wife. His plea for regular bail in the matter is pending before the high court.

Mr. Sisodia, who was arrested on March 9, is currently in judicial custody in the case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED.) The ED had opposed the plea for interim bail on grounds of possibility of evidence tampering.

The ED lawyer also claimed Mr. Sisodia's wife has been suffering from such a medical condition for the last 20 years.