1. Sanjay Singh of AAP, held in the Delhi liquor scam, secured bail from the Supreme Court.
2. Court emphasized bail decision won’t establish precedent, addressing Singh’s pleas comprehensively.
3. Enforcement Directorate’s stance softened, not opposing Singh’s bail during proceedings.
New Delhi, April 02: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last October in a money laundering case related to the now-defunct Delhi liquor policy scam, was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The court clarified that the bail decision in Singh’s case would not set a precedent, as it considered his pleas regarding bail, arrest, and ED remand in the money laundering case.
The ED did not oppose Singh’s bail during the ongoing proceedings arising from the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) sections 3 and 4.
The terms of Singh’s bail will be determined by a trial court, as per the Supreme Court’s decision. The bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and including Justices Dipankar Datta and PB Varale, allowed Singh to continue his political activities during the bail period.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, mentioned having an arguable case but expressed willingness to grant bail. He cited exculpatory statements by the ED’s witness-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and the absence of recovered funds as factors supporting Singh’s bail.
Singh’s bail was granted after the court sought the ED’s response following arguments by senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Singh. The court noted the lack of incriminating evidence against Singh in the money laundering case.
Also Read: Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Unveils Election Mascot “Pradipta” in Assam
This development occurred a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also arrested by the ED in connection with the same money laundering case linked to the defunct liquor policy, was remanded to 14-day custody until April 15, currently detained in Tihar Jail.
Singh had been previously lodged in Tihar Jail following his October 4, 2023 arrest, based on Dinesh Arora’s statement implicating him.
Among other AAP members in Tihar are former Delhi Ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.
In February, the Delhi High Court declined Singh’s bail, citing insufficient grounds. Subsequently, Singh appealed to the Supreme Court.
Upon Singh’s arrest, the ED alleged his involvement as a key conspirator in the Delhi liquor policy scam, receiving Rs 2 crore in proceeds of crime, and association with other suspects, including Dinesh Arora.
