New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Friday blasted the lower courts for not giving former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia bail in the liquor policy case after his arrest which took place 18 months ago.

The top court said bail is a right and denying it is a violation of Article 21.

"High court and trial court are playing safe in matters of bail... Bail is a rule, and jail is an exception," the top court said and added as quoted by NDTV, "Keeping him behind bars for the purpose of completion of trial will be nothing but a violation of Article 21."

"Sending the appellant back to the trial court would be like playing a game of snakes and ladders with him," it said.

Sisodia has been asked by the court to surrender his passport and not visit Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office.

Kejriwal, who heads the AAP, is also in jail in the liquor policy case.

Reacting to the verdict, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "Bail is a Matter of Right. You cannot keep someone in jail during the trial. During the hearing, the Supreme Court remarked on the unhappiness with the High Courts and Trial Courts about hesitation in granting bail."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, "As part of bail conditions, Manish Sisodia has to furnish a ₹2 lakh bail bond, surrender his passport and report to the police station, like any ordinary criminal. Bail after 17 months with such stringent conditions is a disgrace for Delhi DCM. But then nothing shames AAP leaders.

"The larger question however is - who steps in for Kejriwal on 15th Aug? Sisodia or Aatishi Marlena?"