Supreme Court Grants Bail to Vijay Nair in Delhi Excise Policy Scam

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Vijay Nair, former AAP communication in-charge, after 23 months of incarceration in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam. The court emphasized the importance of liberty and the principle that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception.'

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Vijay Nair, the former communication in-charge of AAP, after he spent nearly 23 months in incarceration over a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. The court stressed that liberty is 'sacrosanct' and deserves respect even in cases involving stringent laws.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti highlighted the legal principle 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception,' previously cited by Justice B R Gavai when granting bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha in the same case. Sisodia and Kavitha received bail on August 9 and August 27, respectively, but Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal remains without it in the CBI-led primary corruption case.

Justice Roy stated, 'The right to liberty under Article 21 is a sacrosanct right which needs respect, even with stringent laws. The petitioner has been in custody for 23 months without trial. Bail is thus granted based on the terms outlined in this order, without obstructing the ongoing trial.'

(With inputs from agencies.)