SC grants bail to AAP MP Sanjay Singh in liquor policy case

Sanjay Singh gets bail from SC

In a big relief for Sanjay Singh, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the release of the AAP MP during pendency of trial in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy.

"In view of statement made (by ED), we allow the present appeal and direct that Sanjay Singh be released on bail during pendency of trial on terms and conditions set by the trial court," SC said.  Sanjay Singh also undertook not to make any comments with regard to his role in the excise policy case.

The court also made it clear that it is not expressing anything on the merits of the case and Singh's release cannot be used as a precedent by others to obtain a similar order.

ED's decision came after a nudge by the Supreme Court during the course of the hearing. SC noted that Singh had been in custody for six months now and the  allegation of receiving Rs 2 crore bribe against him can be tested during trial.

A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice P B Varale asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju to obtain instructions on whether they would need his further custody. The ASG accordingly told the court at 2 PM that ED was making a concession in Singh's case and the same could not be use in any other case.

The top court was hearing Singh's plea challenging his arrest and remand in the money laundering case.

In February 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea and  directed the trial court to expedite the trial proceedings. Singh had appealed against this judgment in the apex court.

In December 2023, a Delhi court had rejected Singh's bail application too. During the arguments at the trial court, Singh had argued there were contradictions in the statements of accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and other witnesses about bribing him. The Enforcement Directorate had opposed Singh's application stating the probe was still underway and, if released on bail, he could hamper the investigation, tamper with evidence, and influence the witnesses.

The ED had arrested Singh on October 4. The agency alleged that the AAP leader played a key role in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped 2021-2022 excise policy, which benefited certain liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, for monetary considerations.