Delhi Liquor Policy Scam | Supreme Court Seeks Enforcement Directorate's Response To AAP Leader Sanjay Singh's Bail Plea

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Dutta today issued notice in Singh's special leave petition against a February 7 ruling of the Delhi High Court denying bail to Singh in this case and sought a response from the central agency that arrested the AAP leader in October last year.

Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Singh.

Singh has also challenged his arrest and remand in the money laundering case in the Delhi High Court, but a single-judge bench of Justice Sharma dismissed his petition last year. After this, Singh moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest. His petition before the apex court is still pending adjudication. The same bench led by Justice Khanna is slated to hear the other special leave petition on March 5.

Singh's latest plea, seeking bail in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was directed to be tagged with his earlier special leave petition challenging his arrest and remand by the bench during Monday's hearing. Both petitions are now scheduled to be heard on March 5.

Background

Sanjay Singh's legal troubles began when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4 last year, following searches at his residence in the national capital. This arrest came after allegations against him surfaced, including claims that an employee of another accused delivered Rs. 2 crores to Singh's house. The Enforcement Directorate asserted that it had digital evidence to confront Singh with.

Earlier attempts by Singh to secure bail, including a plea before a city's Rouse Avenue Courts on December 22, have been unsuccessful. Special CBI Judge MK Nagpal dismissed Singh's bail plea. Aggrieved by this, Singh approached the Delhi High Court with his bail plea but to no avail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court, while denying bail to Singh, stated that no grounds were established for his release. However, the court directed the trial court to expedite the trial proceedings once they commence, ensuring that Singh's rights as an accused are protected. This directive came with the condition that neither Singh's counsel nor the prosecution should seek unnecessary adjournments during the trial.

In its order, the high court also highlighted the principle of equality before the law, stressing that legal rights and obligations, even for public figures, are subject to the same standards as any other individual in society. It underscored the blind nature of justice, which should not be swayed by factors such as fame, wealth, or social standing.

Referring to the allegations against Singh, the court stressed that he was allegedly part of the preparation of the old excise policy and subsequent modifications to benefit co-accused parties. Specific statements indicated that kickbacks were paid to Singh and others, with allegations of Rs. 2 crores being delivered to Singh's residence. The court noted that Singh's role in this scheme could not be completely ruled out at that stage.