Supreme Court Dismisses Manish Sisodia's Plea Against His Arrest by CBI, Refuses To Order Expeditious Disposal Of His Bail Plea By Trial Court

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the plea filed by Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia against his arrest by the CBI.

“The petitioner has efficacious alternative remedies under law. At this stage, we are not inclined to interfere. Dismissed,” ordered a bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha.

“You are invoking Article 32 to challenge an FIR and for grant of bail?” asked the Court to the Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Sisodia.

Senior Advocate Singhvi submitted before the Court that the FIR was registered in August 2022 and Sisodia was only summoned twice for interrogation by the CBI and he cooperated in the investigation. “Per se arrest would be illegal,” he said.

He further submitted before the Court that there were levels of decision-making and Sisodia has also not been chargesheeted by the CBI and that he holds 18 important portfolios in the Delhi Government.

“This is a case involving the PC (Prevention of Corruption) Act. Can you not say all this to the Delhi High Court?” asked the Bench. “You have full remedy to apply before the jurisdictional court for bail and under Section 482,” added the Court.

“Just because an incident occurs in Delhi, does not mean we are approached,” remarked Justice PS Narasimha.

The Court declined to order that the bail application of the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister be decided expeditiously by the trial court. “We are seeking remand,” responded SG Tushar Mehta opposing the request made for expeditious disposal of bail plea.

In the morning, the Bench had agreed to hear the plea after the same was mentioned for an urgent hearing. “We will take it up after mentioning,” the Bench said when Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the matter.

The Court has posted the matter for hearing at 3:50 PM today, after the sitting of the Constitution Bench. Earlier, the Delhi Court remanded Sisodia to CBI custody till March 4, who has been booked on charges of corruption relating to the now-scrapped excise policy.