In a development amidst legal proceedings, a Delhi court has approved a fresh request from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, embroiled in an alleged excise scam, to attend Parliament and take oath as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP).
Special Judge MK Nagpal granted permission for Mr. Singh to be escorted to Parliament by police custody on either February 8 or 9 for the oath-taking ceremony. This decision follows a similar application approved by the judge on February 3, which was not executed due to unforeseen circumstances preventing Mr. Singh from taking the oath despite being present in Parliament on Monday.
Official sources pointed out a directive from the Rajya Sabha dated August 11, 2023, which maintains Mr. Singh’s suspension for his purported unruly conduct during the monsoon session. As per this directive, he is prohibited from participating in proceedings until the Privileges Committee presents its report and it is reviewed by the House.
The recent application sought intervention from the authorities to facilitate Mr. Singh’s attendance at the Rajya Sabha session on February 8 or 9, asserting that despite his presence in the House on Monday, he was unable to take the oath for unspecified reasons.
Considering the circumstances, the judge ordered that Mr. Singh be escorted to the Rajya Sabha under judicial security and adequate protection to administer the oath on the specified dates, thereby enabling him to fulfill his duties as a member of the upper house.
Mr. Singh’s legal entanglements stem from allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the anti-money laundering agency, which arrested him on October 4. The agency contends that Mr. Singh played a pivotal role in formulating and executing the now-defunct Delhi excise policy 2021-22, benefiting select liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers in exchange for financial gains.
Mr. Singh has consistently refuted these allegations, with the AAP asserting that its members are being unfairly targeted as part of political vendetta. The ongoing legal saga underscores the complex interplay between parliamentary duties and legal obligations, casting a spotlight on the challenges faced by lawmakers embroiled in legal disputes.
Sources By Agencies