The Delhi High Court, on Monday, solicited a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the bail plea of AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who is under arrest in connection with the Delhi excise policy ‘scam.’ Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued a notice to the investigating agency, scheduling further hearings for January 29.
Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, challenged the trial court’s December 22 order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case.
The ED alleges that Singh played a key role in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy, benefiting specific liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers for monetary consideration.
The trial court, in its observation, stated that Singh was connected with the “proceeds of crime to the extent of Rs 2 crore” and affirmed that the case against him was “genuine.”
The case revolves around alleged corruption in formulating and executing the city government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
The CBI registered an FIR over alleged corruption following a recommendation by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The trial court rejected Singh’s argument that he cannot be made an accused in the money laundering case as he was not named in the main FIR by the CBI.
The court emphasised that the ED’s “basic case” was “approved” by the Supreme Court, which also “endorsed” that bribes or kickbacks were paid for the formulation of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22.
The bail applications of other accused were already dismissed, and the trial court’s interpretation of the PMLA provisions while dismissing the applications was not set aside by any superior court. The ED claimed that accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora paid Singh Rs 2 crore.
(With PTI inputs)
