The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is planning to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's decision rejecting former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's bail plea. According to sources, the AAP is planning to file a review petition against the order. Earlier, AAP leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi on Monday said the party and its leaders respect the Supreme Court but do not agree with its order dismissing former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's bail plea and will explore further legal options.
Addressing a press conference here after the order, Atishi said the court has given an "adverse order" despite making sharp observations against probe agencies. "While his bail plea was being heard, the Supreme Court constantly asked the ED tough questions like where is the money trail. The apex court also pointed out that the case is based on the statement of one approver Dinesh Arora," she said. "Despite these sharp observations, the SC gave an adverse verdict. We will study that order deeply and explore our legal options and decide our next step," she added.
Atishi, a cabinet minister in Delhi, said they respect the Supreme Court but are "not in agreement" with the order.
"The order on dismissal of Sisodia's bail plea in the Supreme Court contradicts the proceedings during the hearing. During the proceedings, the Supreme Court had repeatedly asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) about the money trail associated with Sisodia, which the ED could not establish. If the ED cannot demonstrate the flow of money to Sisodia, questions about money laundering and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should not arise. Despite sharp comments from the ED, the court issued an opposite order today, refusing bail to Sisodia," Atishi said.
The Senior AAP leader further added, "Despite these significant observations, today the Supreme Court issued an opposite verdict. The Supreme Court's order has been uploaded to its website, and we will carefully study all the legal aspects. Our legal team and the AAP will conduct a thorough examination, and our next steps will be decided based on the available options."
She also reiterated that the AAP is an honest party and till now none of its leaders has been found involved in corruption. "The entire country is watching how the BJP is using agencies like the ED and the CBI to target opposition parties," she added.
Atishi mentioned that they respect the Supreme Court but respectfully disagree with the court's decision given today. They will explore all available legal options before taking further action.
In a setback to Sisodia, the SC earlier in the day rejected his regular bail pleas in corruption and money-laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam and said the transfer of Rs 338 crore was tentatively established in the matter. A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti said it has recorded the statements of the probe agencies that the trial in these cases will conclude in six to eight months. But if the trial proceeds in a "sloppy manner", Sisodia will be at liberty to apply for bail in these cases in three months, the bench said.
