Supreme Court Grants Bail to Manish Sisodia: AAP Calls It a Victory for Democracy

The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Manish Sisodia, an AAP leader imprisoned for 17 months in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam, is a significant political development. The AAP views this as a blow to the BJP-led Centre's alleged dictatorship, fostering optimism among party workers and leaders.

The Supreme Court's order granting bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has been described by the party as a severe rebuke to the 'dictatorship' of the BJP-led Central government, albeit coming a year late.

Sisodia, who has been in custody for 17 months on charges of corruption and money laundering linked to the Delhi excise policy scam, was granted bail by a bench of justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. The bench noted that the trial had not yet commenced, thus depriving Sisodia of his right to a speedy trial.

At a press conference, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh lambasted the BJP for what he termed 'hatred' and 'ill will' politics, accusing the party of imprisoning AAP leaders out of political malice. Singh, who also served time in connection with the alleged liquor scam, called the verdict a 'victory of judiciary and democracy.' Senior AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former health minister Satyendar Jain, are also currently jailed.

Sanjay Singh questioned the accountability for the hardships faced by Sisodia's family during his jail term. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi halt the unjust imprisonment of AAP leaders. Gopal Rai, the AAP Delhi state convener and a minister, emphasized that the Supreme Court's bail decision sends a message that no dictatorship can last indefinitely.

(With inputs from agencies.)