Justice Sanjay Kumar Recuses from Manish Sisodia's Bail Petition

Supreme Court Judge Sanjay Kumar recuses himself from hearing AAP leader Manish Sisodia's bail petition over Delhi High Court's rejection in the excise policy case. The case will be reassigned to an appropriate bench next week. Sisodia aims to revive his bail plea amidst protracted trial delays.

Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Kumar on Thursday recused himself from hearing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia's petition seeking revival of his plea challenging the Delhi High Court order that rejected his bail plea in an excise policy case. Following Justice Kumar's recusal, the bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna scheduled the matter for next week.

The case was initially listed before a three-judge bench including Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Karol, and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The Supreme Court has directed that the matter be listed before an appropriate bench next week that does not include Justice Kumar.

As the hearing commenced, Justice Khanna noted that Justice Kumar had opted out of the case for personal reasons. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sisodia, argued that the matter is of extreme urgency.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia approached the Supreme Court to revive his bail plea, citing delays in the excise policy case trial. Singhvi informed the court about the June 4 order where the probe agency committed to concluding the investigation and filing the final charge sheet by July 3, 2024, allowing the trial to proceed thereafter.

On June 4, the top court allowed Sisodia to renew his bail plea once the final charge sheet is filed. Sisodia is contesting the Delhi High Court's decision dismissing his bail plea.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice of India assured Sisodia's counsel that the petition would be reviewed, pending rectification of technical defects. On June 4, the Supreme Court had disposed of Sisodia's initial plea following Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's assurance that the investigation would be concluded by July 3, enabling the trial court to move forward.

Sisodia's request to reinstate his plea challenges the May 21 Delhi High Court order. In February 2023, Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in Delhi's now-retracted excise policy. Accusations of misconduct led to the cancellation of the policy, and Sisodia remains in judicial custody.

According to the CBI, Sisodia played a central role in the criminal conspiracy, deeply engaging in the policy's formation and implementation to fulfill the conspiracy's objectives. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)