Chargesheet filed against Sanjay Singh in Delhi liquor scam case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a 60-page chargesheet against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Saturday in connection with the now-scrapped liquor policy scam case in Delhi. According to reports, the prosecution complaint has been filed before a local court under numerous Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) sections. This is a supplementary chargesheet in the case, as the ED had previously filed about five such complaints.
Why does this story matter?
The ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing the alleged scam separately. The AAP leader is currently lodged in Tihar jail after the ED apprehended him on October 4, claiming that he is a key conspirator in the liquor excise policy. Furthermore, the probe agency has accused Singh of receiving a Rs. 2 crore bribe through his associates from accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora.
Delhi court's notice to ED on AAP MP's bail plea
On Tuesday, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court issued a notice to the ED regarding the AAP MP's bail application in the money laundering case. The Special Judge, MK Nagpal, asked the probe agency to file a reply by Wednesday (December 6) and listed the matter for hearing on the same day. Furthermore, Nagpal directed the ED to provide a copy of their response to the accused.
Ongoing probe in Delhi liquor policy case
Probe agencies have alleged that the AAP benefitted from the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy. The Arvind Kejriwal administration introduced the policy in November 2021. Under this, the Delhi government withdrew from the alcohol trade, allowing only private operators to run liquor stores. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena alleged irregularities and ordered a probe into the policy. Besides Singh, ex-Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has also been arrested in the case.
Singh previously alleged conspiracy against Kejriwal
The AAP called the arrests and the case a "political witch hunt." Last month, Singh alleged that a "big conspiracy to trap" Kejriwal was being concocted. "Not just arrest, they are planning a big move against Kejriwal," he said. His warning came days after the ED summoned Kejriwal for interrogation in connection with its money laundering investigation into the excise policy scam. Notably, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders earlier speculated that Kejriwal's arrest in the case was "imminent."
