Manish Sisodia’s bail applications in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam: Supreme Court to hear matter on October 12

Today, the Supreme Court was hearing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia’s bail applications in relation to the ED/CBI cases over the Delhi liquor policy scam. Yesterday (October 04, 2023), the Supreme Court bench asked the ED/CBI ‘Why political party, which is alleged to be beneficiary, was not made accused in the case?’  Today (October 05), a two-judge bench including Justice SVN Bhatti and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing the matter. 

During the court proceedings today, Justice Khanna, in relation to the question asked, orally remarked “We want to clarify that our question yesterday was not to implicate anyone. Suppose if as per the prosecution if A is not being prosecuted can B or C be prosecuted? In that context, the question was posed as a legal question.” After hearing the arguments, Justice Khanna asked the Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, “When you give a bribe, you’re involved in the activity connected to the proceeds of crime. Suppose, let’s assume, ultimately no money is passed on. Will PMLA trigger? What triggers in PMLA is proceeds of crime.”

While listing the matter for hearing on October 12, 2023, Thursday, Justice Khanna said, “Mr. Singhvi, normally we don’t go so deep in bail matters but they have pointed out several issues which according to them disclose a criminal offence. The second part is with regard to PMLA. The only question is whether Section 3 can be invoked or not.”