The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to ex-Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor excise policy case, noting that a money trail of Rs 338 crore had been “tentatively established” and that the “rule of law applies equally to all citizens and institutions, including the State”.

In refusing Mr Sisodia bail, the court accepted the CBI’s argument against the Aam Aadmi Party leader – that there is a “carefully hatched conspiracy… (to) assure unjust enrichment” of a select few, and that the policy “facilitated getting bribes” from wholesale distributors “assured exorbitant profits”.

READ | “Money Trail Tentatively Established”: No Supreme Court Relief For Manish Sisodia

In a 41-page order the top court also noted the CBI’s claim that the now-withdrawn policy “favoured and promoted cartelisation”, pointing to the permit granted to Indo Spirit despite several such complaints.

Mr Sisodia can apply for bail again after three months, a two-judge bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said. Earlier the court had said Manish Sisodia could not be kept in jail indefinitely.

What Did Supreme Court Say In Manish Sisodia Bail Plea?

The court noted the CBI’s claim that the previous policy had been modified to facilitate bribes from wholesale distributors by enhancing their commission from five per cent to 12 per cent.

This change, the court said, meant they earned seven per cent more commission for the 10 months the policy was in place. This figure, which “cannot be challenged”, is Rs 338 crore, the court added.

This means the policy – which deviated from expert opinions on Mr Sisodia’s orders, according to the CBI – was created to provide windfall gains to select distributors in return for kickbacks, the court added. Further, the court also accepted the claim income so earned was recycled partly and returned in the form of bribes, portions of which were allegedly used by the AAP for the Goa election.

READ | “Want To Clarify…”: Supreme Court On “Making AAP An Accused” Question

The CBI had alleged Mr Sisodia was “aware that three liquor manufacturers have 85 per cent share in Delhi market… as per the new exercise policy, each manufacturer could appoint only one wholesale distributor (but) wholesale distributors could enter into agreements with multiple manufacturers”.

The court accepted the claim that this “favoured and promoted cartelisation”, noting “large wholesale distributors with high market share… were ensured to earn exorbitant profits”.

READ | Manish Sisodia Can’t Be In Jail Forever: Supreme Court To Probe Agencies

The court also referred to the role of Vijay Nair – described as the “go-between” and “co-confidante” of Mr Sisodia – and that he had “assured” the “South Group” cartel they would be made (and they were made) distributors for Pernod Ricard, one of the biggest liquor manufacturers in the domestic market.

What Is Delhi Liquor Policy Case?

The case pertains to the now-scrapped 2021 policy, under which the ruling AAP withdrew from liquor sales and allowed private individuals to run stores.

The Delhi government reported a 27 per cent increase in income from the policy and generated Rs 8,900 crore in revenue. Trouble, however, erupted after reports Mr Sisodia had bent, if not violated, rules to award liquor licenses.

READ | NDTV Explainer: All You Need To Know About Delhi Liquor Policy Case

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena then ordered a CBI inquiry that then snowballed into an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate and the arrests of the senior AAP leader and others.

The agency has claimed the policy lost the Delhi government Rs 2,800 crore.

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A trial begins on Monday in Colorado to determine whether former US President Donald Trump is disqualified from the state’s ballot in the 2024 election over his purported role in a deadly attack on the US Capitol aimed at keeping him in office.

The one-week trial before a Denver judge could also be a test of whether Trump’s opponents elsewhere have a viable path to keep him off the ballot under a rarely-used, Civil War-era provision of the US Constitution that bars people who have engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.

Trump faces similar lawsuits brought by advocacy groups in Michigan and Minnesota, but the Colorado case is the first to go to trial.

Trump, a Republican, has denied wrongdoing during the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters who wanted to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s November 2020 presidential election win. Trump’s campaign has said the “absurd” lawsuit and others like it are “stretching the law beyond recognition.”

Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, according to opinion polls, in what is expected to be a rematch next year with Biden.

His opponents hope to deny Trump a path to victory by disqualifying him in enough hotly-contested states, but many legal experts call the strategy a long shot.

The cases raise largely untested legal questions, and even if the plaintiffs prevail, the final say would likely rest with a US Supreme Court dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority that includes three Trump appointees.

The Colorado lawsuit seeks to bar the state’s top election official from putting Trump on the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which was established in the aftermath of the Civil War to prevent former Confederate rebels from taking federal office.

The advocacy group that brought the lawsuit, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said Trump “incited, exacerbated, and otherwise engaged in a violent insurrection” by encouraging his supporters to march on the Capitol and prevent the certification of Biden’s win.

Colorado District Court Judge Sarah Wallace has denied five separate bids by Trump and his allies to dismiss the case, most recently on October 25, when she rejected Trump’s arguments that courts do not have the power to determine eligibility for office.

Trump faces several legal cases as he campaigns for the presidency. A civil fraud trial in a lawsuit by New York state against Trump and his family company is in its fourth week.

He has pleaded not guilty to four criminal indictments, including federal cases tied to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and the removal and mishandling of classified government documents when he left office in January 2021.

Nothing suits the festive season better than an ethereal saree. Tamannaah Bhatia seems well-versed in that. The actress; in her casual picks, gives the world a fashion moment to remember. But Tamannaah and a six-yard is a fiery combination made in fashion heaven. Recently, we got a little taste of it, when Tamannaah picked a black saree from the shelves of Neeta Lulla. The sheer drape was adorned with an overall sequin piping. She paired the saree with an equally embellished strap blouse. The plunging neckline and backless detailing added the oomph element to her look. She left her side-parted voluminous curls loosened. Tamannaah ditched the necklace by resting her faith in a pair of statement earrings. Who needs a glowy glam when your saree is shining bright like a diamond? A flawless matte base with nude glossy lips, blushed cheeks and wispy lashes were enough to make her red carpet ready.

(Also Read: Tamannaah Bhatia Exudes Festive Elegance In Lime-Green Lehenga Set)

Tamannaah Bhatia has a penchant for scene-stealing moments and we love every bit of it. The actress wore a monochrome saree from Vrinda Sachdev & Gurinder Singh’s clothing label Qbik. She paired the six yards with a heavily embellished strap blouse. The slinky tie-style necklace added a contemporary touch to her ethnic look. Neutral eye shadow looked gorgeous with a dewy base, blushed cheeks and nude pink glossy lips. She styled her hair with curled ends. Tamannaah sided with the minimal look by ditching earrings and bangles.

Yet again she created a timeless glam by draping herself in a saree by Neeta Lulla. The kanjeevaram is exclusively styled and structured with embroidery. The beautiful pastel and green six-yard came with delicate and sleek floral motifs. With gold traditional jewellery, she gave us a perfect festive fashion inspiration. Middle parted low bun wrapped with gajra was the final touch to her on-point ethnic look.

Tamannaah Bhatia’s red carpet looks are often defined by heavily embellished gowns.

(Also Read: Tamannaah Bhatia Goes Fiery Red In Falguni Shane Peacock Saree)