Delhi HC rejects AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s bail plea in liquor policy scam

NEW DELHI | Updated: 22 December, 2023 7:26 pm IST
Delhi Court reject bail plea of Sanjay Singh

NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi rejected the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh, on Friday. The development comes in connection with the ongoing money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy.

The bench led by Special Judge MK Nagpal rejected Singh’s plea for bail.

Earlier, the court had adjourned its proceedings on Thursday.

During the arguments, Singh’s defence emphasised contradictions in statements focusing on discrepancies between accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and other witnesses. However, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed Singh’s bail application, expressing concerns about using political clout to pressurise witnesses.

Singh, however, has vehemently denied the ED’s assertion that he played a significant role in the policy’s inception. He has maintained his innocence, refuting any allegations of wrongdoing.

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Earlier, he was arrested on October 4, under charges of favouring specific liquor vends for financial gains.

The court’s rejection of the AAP MP has now added further intensity to the money laundering case, with Singh’s attorney arguing contradictions in the statements, specifically from Arora.

Earlier, the ED another round of summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case, on December 21. However, Kejriwal skipped the meeting stating that he had to leave for a 10-day Vipassana course. He was also attending the INDIA bloc meeting.

Kejriwal eventually left for the pre-scheduled meditation course at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.

AAP raised concerns about the timing of the ED summons, stating that the party’s lawyers were examining the legality of the notice. In a previous instance on November 2, Kejriwal had avoided ED questioning, alleging that the notice was illegal and politically motivated.

Along with Sanjay Singh, two of its other prominent leaders, Manish Sisodia and Vijay Nair, are currently incarcerated in connection with the Delhi liquor scam.

In February 2023, the CBI arrested the Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia, on charges of irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the policy.

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