The Supreme Court granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh in the Delhi excise policy case on Tuesday, after the Enforcement Directorate told the top court that it has “no objection” to his bail.
The apex court said that Sanjay Singh be released on bail “during pendency of proceedings”, adding that “in view of the statement made (by the ED), Sanjay Singh will be released on terms and conditions to be fixed by trial court.”
The bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and PB Varale noted that the “concession shall not be cited as precedent”. The AAP leader is entitled to continue his political activities, the top court added.
AAP leader Somnath Bharti reacted to Singh’s bail and said that the federal agency “has been exposed today”. Meanwhile, Delhi minister Atishi Marlena posted on X saying, “Satyamev Jayate.”
Follow Updates On Arvind Kejriwal News LIVE
This comes a day after a Delhi court sent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in the liquorgate scandal.
The federal agency also informed that Kejriwal, in his statement, named AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh on the question about excise policy case accused — Vijay Nair.
The Delhi High Court in February this year, had refused to grant bail to Singh but directed the trial court to expedite the trial once it commences.
“No ground for grant of bail to the accused at this stage is made out,” Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had said, pronouncing the order.
WHEN WAS SANJAY SINGH ARRESTED?
The anti-corruption agency arrested AAP leader Sanjay Singh on October 4, 2023 after raiding his premises in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Singh was the third leader from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to be arrested.
The ED had claimed that Singh is a key conspirator in the alleged scam and received Rs 2 crore proceeds of crime, and he was closely associated with a number of accused or suspects in this case, businessmen Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora.
The central probe agency further claimed that the AAP leader has gained illegal money or kickbacks which are proceeds of crime generated from the liquor policy (2021-22) scam and that he has also played a role in conspiracy with others.
At the time, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the BJP is resorting to desperate measures as it is staring at a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This is why many raids are taking place as the polls are coming closer, Kejriwal added.
“They (ED officials) searched his entire house but nothing was found and he was arrested in the evening. Elections are coming and after the formation of the INDIA alliance, PM Modi is desperate… They will arrest many people till 2024. Sanjay Singh is a lion…We file a case in court,” the AAP chief had said.
Before Sanjay Singh, his party colleague and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in the liquorgate scandal.
Sisodia was first arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 for his alleged role in the scam. He resigned as the deputy CM on February 28.
The ED later arrested him on March 9 from Tihar Jail, where is currently lodged in judicial custody.
WHAT IS DELHI EXCISE POLICY SCAM?
The investigation pertains to the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy introduced in 2021, which has now been scrapped.
Under the policy, the government no longer had anything to do with selling liquor and would exit from the liquor business in Delhi.
The policy allowed only private vendors to do so and licenses were issued to private players for 849 vends. The aim of the policy was to stop black marketing, increase revenue and improve the consumer experience.
Under the policy, the home delivery of liquor was allowed and shops could stay open till 3 am. Licensees could also offer unlimited discounts.
However, these reforms ran into trouble in July 2022, when Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar submitted a report to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena accusing Manish Sisodia of providing undue benefits to liquor vend licensees in lieu of “kickbacks” and “commissions”.
Based on the report, Saxena then recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the policy.
The ED also launched a probe alleging money laundering in the matter, and that a liquor lobby had paid at least Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to AAP.
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