In a recent development, a Delhi court has extended the judicial custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh till November 24 in connection with the money laundering probe into the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case. Singh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 4, faced questioning related to his alleged involvement in the formulation and implementation of the controversial excise policy.
The case has its roots in the Delhi government’s excise policy introduced in 2021, which came under scrutiny and was subsequently scrapped following allegations of irregularities. The ED alleges that Sanjay Singh, as a key figure in the AAP, played a crucial role in the formulation and execution of the policy, benefiting specific liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, also implicated in the case, has been in jail since February. The ED, along with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), arrested Singh and Sisodia in connection with the case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was issued summons on November 2 but did not appear.
According to the ED chargesheet, restaurateur Dinesh Arora, reportedly close to Singh and Sisodia, played a pivotal role in the alleged irregularities. Arora, who was arrested by the CBI in July, was said to have been in contact with Singh and Sisodia. The ED alleges that Singh sought funding for the Delhi assembly elections in 2020, contacting various restaurant owners, including Arora, who arranged cheques worth ₹82 lakh for party funds.
The excise policy, introduced in 2021, faced controversy leading to its abrupt end after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended an investigation into alleged irregularities. Subsequently, the policy was scrapped and replaced by the 2020-21 regime.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case highlights the alleged misconduct surrounding the Delhi excise policy and its repercussions on key political figures, raising questions about governance and transparency in the national capital. The extension of Sanjay Singh’s judicial custody adds another chapter to this ongoing legal saga.
Sources By Agencies