Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has been remanded in custody until October 10, 2023, by the Rouse Avenue Court. This decision comes in connection with the now-defunct Delhi excise policy or liquor scam case. Sanjay Singh was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after a day-long questioning at his residence in Delhi.
The Special Judge MK Nagpal, after considering arguments presented by both the ED and the defence, has decided to place Sanjay Singh in ED remand for five days. During the proceedings, the ED, represented by Advocates Zohaib Hossain and Naveen Kumar Matta, pointed out that extensive searches had been conducted at approximately 239 locations, resulting in the discovery of crucial documents. Additionally, the ED alleged that an employee of Dinesh Arora had allegedly delivered Rs 2 crores to Sanjay Singh’s residence on two occasions.
The ED argued for a 10-day remand, citing the necessity to extract digital data and conduct further interrogations involving other individuals. However, Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Sanjay Singh, contended that the investigation has been ongoing and questioned the need for such an extended remand. He emphasized that Dinesh Arora, a key witness in the case, had previously been accused by both agencies and subsequently became an approver. Mathur argued that the statement implicating Sanjay Singh dates back to August, and therefore, the ED’s demand for a 10-day remand is unreasonable for someone not directly involved in the matter.
During the hearing, Sanjay Singh personally addressed the judge, stating, “Whether the truth diminishes or grows, there is no test of falsehood. I am not so unknown that Amit Arora could not remember my name. Even Dinesh Arora couldn’t recall my name. Suddenly, what did they do that my name came to their minds? I strongly urge you, if there is even a one percent truth in their allegations, I should be punished severely. I have never been summoned even once. Is there a separate law for me?”
Sanjay Singh is the third prominent member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following Satyendra Jain and Manish Sisodia, to be arrested in connection with this case. Manish Sisodia, a colleague of Sanjay Singh and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, is also implicated in the liquor policy scam and is currently in custody for his alleged role in the matter.
This case revolves around allegations that Sanjay Singh and his associates played a role in the Delhi government’s decision to grant licenses to alcohol shops and merchants in 2020, resulting in financial losses to the state and alleged violations of anti-corruption laws. The ED has conducted numerous searches, including at the residences and offices of Sanjay Singh’s close associate Ajit Tyagi, as well as other contractors and businessmen purportedly benefiting from the policy. In a nearly 270-page supplementary charge sheet, the ED has identified Sisodia as a key conspirator in the case.
The Delhi liquor scam case, also known as the excise policy case, centres on accusations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 facilitated cartelization and favoured certain dealers who allegedly paid bribes. The AAP has vehemently denied these allegations.
The ED has filed five charge sheets in this case, including one against Sisodia. The agency initiated its first chargesheet last year, and it has conducted over 200 search operations related to the case. The CBI had launched an inquiry based on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary’s report, which indicated prima facie violations of various regulations, including the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.
Both the ED and the CBI alleged irregularities in modifying the Excise Policy, granting undue favours to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending the L-1 license without proper authorization. It was further claimed that the beneficiaries of these actions funnelled “illegal” gains to implicated officials and manipulated their financial records to evade detection.
The alleged decision to refund the Earnest Money Deposit and grant waivers on tendered license fees without legal provisions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is said to have resulted in a significant loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer. These allegations stem from a reference by the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
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