Today in Politics: SC Verdict on Manish Sisodia’s Bail Pleas — What’s at Stake for AAP?

After facing multiple setbacks in the national capital over the past few months—including a significant defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, scrutiny of its governance record with its leader in prison, and a Supreme Court ruling allowing the Lieutenant Governor to nominate aldermen to the municipal corporation—Friday could either offer some relief or add to the woes of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The Supreme Court’s two-judge Bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, is set to deliver its verdict on former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bail petitions related to the excise policy case. The Bench reserved its judgment on August 6.

Background: Sisodia was arrested by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act on February 26 last year and by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on March 9. After the Delhi High Court dismissed his bail application in May, Sisodia approached the Supreme Court. On October 10, the top court dismissed his application but expressed doubts about some of the ED’s charges while acknowledging “material and evidence” supporting one of the PMLA charges. The court allowed Sisodia to file a fresh bail application if the trial was delayed, and dismissed pleas to review the order. On June 4, a vacation Bench refused to entertain Sisodia’s bail pleas after the government assured that the chargesheet would be filed within a month. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on Sisodia’s bail petitions in both the CBI and ED cases.

Context: With the capital’s civic infrastructure under strain from recent heavy monsoon rains, the AAP government has struggled to manage the city. The absence of its top leaders, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sisodia, has compounded the difficulties, exacerbated by tensions with Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena and allegations of a stubborn bureaucracy. Mallica Joshi notes that the AAP government has chosen confrontation over collaboration with the Centre. A favorable court decision for Sisodia could help stabilize the party after weeks of turmoil and provide a boost ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Also Happening Today:

1. In the Lok Sabha:
   • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
   • Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will introduce the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, and the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024.
   • Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will introduce the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
   • Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will propose a Bill to provide representation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Assembly. Currently, the Assembly has 40 seats, with one reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) but none for STs.
2. The Election Commission (EC) team, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, will visit Jammu after meeting with officials in Srinagar. The team is expected to meet with political leaders from the region.