Excise policy scam: Delhi HC asks ED to respond to AAP MP Sanjay Singh's bail plea

Sanjay Singh. File Pic

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a bail plea by AAP MP Sanjay Singh, arrested in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy 'scam', reported news agency PTI.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to the investigating agency and listed the matter for further hearing on January 29, reported PTI.

The Rajya Sabha member, arrested by the ED on October 4 last year, has challenged a trial court's December 22 order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy 'scam', reported PTI.

Senior advocate Mohit Mathur, appearing for Singh, submitted that the senior AAP leader has been in custody for last three months and no role has been attributed to him in the predicate offence, reported PTI.

The ED has alleged that Singh played a key role in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy, which benefited certain liquor manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, for monetary consideration, reported PTI.

Singh has rebutted the charge while AAP has alleged that its leaders are being targeted due to political vendetta.

Meanwhile, a court in Delhi has allowed AAP leader Sanjay Singh, arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise scam, to physically visit the returning officer for the Rajya Sabha election in connection with the filing of nomination papers, reported PTI.

Special Judge M K Nagpal, who had earlier allowed Singh to sign certain documents related to his re-nomination for Rajya Sabha polls, passed the direction on an application filed by the politician, reported PTI.

The judge directed Tihar jail authorities to produce Singh before the returning officer on January 8 and 10 "to enable him to submit his nomination papers in connection with the said election and also for scrutiny thereof", reported PTI.

"The accused shall be permitted to remain there till the above process of nomination and scrutiny of the documents is completed," the judge directed in an order passed on January 6, reported PTI.

The politician submitted that his present term as a Member of Rajya Sabha is expiring on January 27, 2024, and the returning officer has already issued a notice on January 2 for the election to the seat, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)