Delhi Excise Policy: Sanjay Singh Moves SC Against Delhi HC Order

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision to deny him bail in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy ‘scam’.

On February 7, the high court rejected Singh’s bail plea, despite his reelection to the Rajya Sabha from Delhi, but directed the trial court to expedite proceedings once they commence.

The plea challenging the high court order has been filed through advocates Vivek Jain and Rajat Bhardwaj.

In its ruling, the high court emphasized that the admissibility of approver Dinesh Arora’s statement cannot be examined during the bail grant stage and will be assessed during the trial.

Considering the evidence against Singh, including statements from the approver and witnesses, relief cannot be granted at this juncture, stated the court. Singh, who was arrested on October 4, 2023, by the Enforcement Directorate, had sought bail on the grounds of being in custody for over three months and no direct involvement attributed to him in the underlying offense concerning corruption in the formulation and execution of the city government’s now-defunct excise policy.

The investigating agency opposed Singh’s bail plea in the high court, arguing that he was implicated in the acquisition, possession, concealment, dissipation, and utilization of proceeds of crime stemming from the Delhi liquor “scam” during the 2021-22 policy period.

The ED alleged in the high court that Singh was a central figure in the purported scam and received Rs 2 crore in proceeds of crime.