North News
New Delhi, August 9
After nearly 18 months in custody, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Friday in connection with the alleged liquor policy case. The Supreme Court emphasized Sisodia’s right to a “speedy trial,” noting that sending him back to trial court would be like making him “play snakes and ladders,” according to media reports.
The NDTV reported that Sisodia was initially arrested by the CBI on February 26 last year, followed by a subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate less than two weeks later. Now, with bail granted in both cases, the Supreme Court expressed frustration, stating that Sisodia cannot be kept in jail indefinitely while the prosecution delays setting a trial date.
A bench consisting of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan also highlighted that keeping the Aam Aadmi Party leader jailed for an “unlimited time” without trial violates his fundamental rights. Justice Gavai remarked, “Incarceration of 18 months… Trial not having even commenced, and the appellant has been deprived of the right to a speedy trial,” questioning the actions of the lower courts, as reported by the news outlet.
“Keeping appellant behind bars for unlimited time will deny fundamental right. Appellant has deep roots in society… no apprehension of fleeing. Anyway… conditions can be imposed,” the NDTV further said.
“Trial court and High Court ought to have given due weightage to this. Courts have forgotten that bail ought not to be withheld as punishment. Principle bail is the rule and jail an exception…” the court said, acknowledging that the prolonged period of incarceration was untenable, the NDTV report said. “Bail can’t be rejected as punishment (of the accused),” the court declared.
