New Delhi: On Thursday, Supreme Court Judge Sanjay Kumar recused himself from hearing the bail petitions of AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the liquor policy scam. Sisodia is seeking bail in cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Sanjay Karol, and Sanjay Kumar announced that another bench, excluding Justice Kumar, will handle Sisodia’s cases. Justice Khanna explained that Justice Kumar had a personal conflict and therefore opted out of the case.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Manish Sisodia, urged the bench to prioritize the matter due to the urgency, as the trial in both cases has yet to commence. The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter to be heard by another bench on July 15.

Previously, on June 4, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain Sisodia’s bail pleas, challenging the Delhi High Court's May 21 decision which dismissed his petitions. Sisodia had earlier contested a trial court’s April 30 order rejecting his bail applications concerning alleged irregularities in the Delhi liquor policy.

On October 30, 2023, the Supreme Court denied Sisodia bail in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the liquor policy scam, citing evidence supporting the accusation of "windfall gains" of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy case and was subsequently arrested by the ED on March 9, 2023, in connection with the money laundering case. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.

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