Delhi Court Reserves Order On Sanjay Singh’s Plea Seeking Modification In Bail Condition

The Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday reserved its decision regarding AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s request to modify his bail conditions and release his diplomatic passport.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja will deliver the verdict on February 18 after hearing arguments from both Singh’s counsel and the Enforcement Directorate.

During the proceedings, the court also directed the ED to inform it of the time needed to provide translated copies of the documents involved in the case.

Singh’s legal team, led by Advocate Dr. Farrukh Khan and accompanied by Changez Khan, argued that Singh frequently needs to travel both domestically and internationally for his political duties. They pointed out that Singh, despite sending over 160 emails to the investigating officer, has yet to receive any responses to his travel-related queries.

According to his counsel, Singh must inform the investigating officer even for travel within the Delhi NCR area, creating additional challenges.

Singh’s diplomatic passport was also a point of contention. His counsel emphasized that Singh cannot travel abroad without political clearance, a process which is impeded by his passport being held by the court.

On the other hand, special counsel for the ED, Zoheb Hossain, opposed Singh’s plea, citing concerns about his past actions. Hossain argued that Singh should not receive special treatment, particularly since confidential documents related to the investigation were found in his possession.

The background of the case traces back to January 18, when Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP, filed a formal request to modify the bail conditions and retrieve his diplomatic passport.

The original conditions, set by the Rouse Avenue court after Singh was granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 2, 2024, required him to submit a detailed itinerary to the investigating officer whenever he planned to leave the National Capital Territory of Delhi. His passport was also deposited with the court.

Singh’s counsel explained that due to the nature of his political role and responsibilities as a spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party, he is often required to travel for urgent political, social, and public welfare matters.

The condition of providing a detailed itinerary in advance has created logistical challenges, particularly given the unpredictable nature of his engagements.

Additionally, Singh, who is an active participant in international events and forums, has found it difficult to attend such events due to the restriction on his passport. The application further highlighted that Singh’s younger brother resides in the United States, adding a personal dimension to his need for international travel.

The court’s decision on this matter is expected on February 18, which will determine whether Singh’s bail conditions will be modified to allow more flexibility in his travel plans.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International