Delhi liquor policy case: ED files first charge sheet against AAP MLA Sanjay Singh under PMLA

The Enforcement Directorate filed its first charge sheet against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh in the Delhi liquor policy case.

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday filed a charge sheet against AAP MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials said.
The prosecution complaint has been filed before a local court under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This is a supplementary charge sheet in this case as the agency had filed about five such complaints earlier.

After his arrest, the ED had said in a statement, “Sanjay Singh is a key conspirator in the Delhi liquor scam. He is closely associated with several accused and suspects, including (businessmen) Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora. Singh has exploited and has gained illegal money/kickbacks which are proceeds of crime generated from the liquor policy (2021-22) scam. Further, he has also played a role in conspiracy with others with respect to the excise policy 2020-21.”

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Mr. Singh has rebutted the claim.

The AAP MP was arrested by the ED in connection with its money laundering probe linked to the 2021-22 Delhi Excise policy case and was the second high-profile leader after Manish Sisodia, a former Deputy Chief Minister, prime accused in this case.

The AAP that rules Delhi has called the arrests and the case a “political witch-hunt”.

An investigation by the ED has revealed that Arora has given ₹2 crore cash at Mr. Singh’s house on two occasions — ₹1 crore each time — the agency alleged in its remand application.

The period when the cash was allegedly given was between August 2021 and April 2022

Also read: Tihar Jail Terminates 50 Employees Due to Biometric Discrepancies

About Delhi excise policy case

The Delhi excise policy, brought on by the AAP government, saw the exit of government from the alcohol retail business. Under this policy, over 800 private liquor shops were opened across the national capital. LG VK Saxena later recommended a CBI probe alleging exchange of bribes in return for awarding liquor licenses.

The Delhi government later withdrew the policy.