Sisodia Thanks Supreme Court for Slapping Dictatorship with Constitutional Power
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia was greeted with chants of “Sisodia, Sisodia” as he walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday evening, ending 17 months of imprisonment. The Supreme Court had granted him bail earlier that day in both the CBI and ED cases related to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy.
Upon his release, the former deputy chief minister exclaimed, “Bharat Mata ki Jai! Inquilab Zindabad!” He expressed gratitude to supporters, saying, “We have brought this legal battle to its logical end through the Constitution. I thank you all for being with me… Kejriwal will also come out soon. Our fight is against dictatorship… I have not endured the pain in these 17 months, you all have suffered it. The number of people in this country who love me has increased manifold.”
Sisodia also took to Twitter to express his appreciation for the Supreme Court and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution. He wrote, “I wholeheartedly thank the Supreme Court for slapping dictatorship in the face by using the power of the Constitution. Today, after 17 months, I am out of jail solely because of the Constitution. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution has protected those who fight against dictatorship. My entire life is indebted to Babasaheb and the Constitution he authored.”
He further expressed his appreciation for former Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, thanking him for his legal support.
AAP leaders and party workers gathered at Tihar Jail’s Gate No. 3 to welcome Sisodia, amidst heightened security. Sisodia is expected to visit Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence soon.
Justice Gavai, while allowing the appeal, quashed the Delhi High Court’s order and granted Sisodia bail in both the ED and CBI cases, with conditions. The apex court emphasized that “the principle of bail is a rule and jail is an exception.” Sisodia was directed to surrender his passport and refrain from influencing witnesses.
Earlier in the day, Special Judge Bawaje had extended the judicial custody of Sisodia and K Kavitha until the next hearing. However, after the Supreme Court’s order, the Rouse Avenue court issued a release warrant, following the acceptance of Sisodia’s bail and surety bonds by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja.
