AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Sent To Judicial Custody Till Oct 27 In Delhi Excise Policy Case

A Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday sent AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh to judicial custody till October 27.

Special Judge M K Nagpal sent Singh to jail after the probe agency produced him before the court on expiry of his custodial custody granted earlier.

The anti-money laundering agency had arrested Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, on October 4.

The ED has alleged that Singh played a key role in the formulation and implementation of the now scrapped policy, which benefited certain liquor manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, for monetary considerations.

Earlier this week, the ED extended Sanjay Singh's custody until October 13. Singh had been apprehended on October 4 following searches conducted at his official residence on North Avenue.

Sanjay Singh is now the third AAP leader to face arrest by a central agency in the past 17 months, following in the footsteps of former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia and Satyender Jain.

In a related development, AAP's communication in-charge, Vijay Nair, had been arrested in September 2022 in connection with a liquor policy case. Additionally, in April, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal underwent nearly nine hours of questioning by the CBI.

During the remand application hearing, special public prosecutor NK Matta, representing the ED, alleged that Rs 2 crore had been delivered in cash to Singh. The ED asserted that an employee of Dinesh Arora, an accused in the case who later turned approver, had purportedly delivered Rs 2 crore to Singh's residence on two separate occasions.

According to the ED, the senior AAP leader played a significant role in devising and executing the excise policy, which appeared to favor certain liquor manufacturers and wholesalers.

In response to Singh's arrest, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal launched a vehement attack on the BJP government, branding the liquor policy case as "completely false." He contended that investigative agencies lacked any substantial evidence and that the allegations were baseless. Kejriwal asserted, "They probed us extensively, but did anything substantial come to light? Not even a penny was exchanged," in remarks to reporters.

Both the ED and CBI initiated cases in connection with the liquor policy following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, based on a report by the Delhi chief secretary. While the CBI is examining the corruption aspect, the ED is investigating potential money laundering.