The Delhi Rouse Avenue court has rejected the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi liquor excise policy for 2021-22. Special Judge M K Nagpal dismissed Singh’s bail application, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Earlier, on Thursday, the court had postponed the proceedings, setting the verdict on Singh’s bail plea for December 22. During arguments, Singh’s legal counsel highlighted inconsistencies in statements, particularly between accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and other witnesses, regarding alleged bribes.
Opposing Singh’s bail application, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) expressed concerns over potential interference if Singh were to be released on bail. Singh, arrested on October 4, maintains his innocence, refuting the ED’s assertion of his pivotal role in the scrapped 2021-2022 excise policy. He denies any involvement in the alleged favoritism towards specific liquor entities for financial gains.
The Delhi liquor scam, linked to the excise policy case, centers on allegations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s policy fostered cartelization, allegedly favoring certain dealers who purportedly offered bribes—an accusation vehemently refuted by the AAP.
The Enforcement Directorate’s filing of the initial chargesheet last year revealed over 200 search operations conducted. The FIR stemmed from a CBI case recommended by the Delhi lieutenant governor, acting on a July report from the chief secretary. The report indicated prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.
The denial of bail for AAP’s Sanjay Singh underscores the gravity of the allegations and the intensity of legal scrutiny surrounding the excise policy case. The court’s decision reflects the complexities of the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings related to the alleged irregularities in Delhi’s excise policy.
Sources By Agencies