AAP’s Sanjay Singh Faces ED Charges in Delhi Liquor Policy Case

New Delhi: The ongoing legal saga surrounding the Delhi liquor excise policy has taken a new turn as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed charges against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh. The charges, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, connect Singh to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped liquor policy of 2021-22.

The ED, terming Singh a “key conspirator,” accuses him of benefiting from kickbacks generated from the contentious liquor policy. The charge sheet, the fifth in the case, also names Singh’s associate Sarvesh Mishra. Singh’s judicial custody, set to conclude on December 4, is linked to accusations that he received illicit funds amounting to Rs. 2 crore.

Allegations suggest Singh ensured alterations to the excise policy, promising favors in return. The ED’s claims include demands for substantial sums from liquor businesses in exchange for licenses, purportedly paid to AAP members.

The excise policy, aimed at privatizing liquor sales, faced intense scrutiny, leading to its annulment in 2022 after a probe highlighted potential improprieties.

The AAP has vehemently opposed these accusations, citing political motivations behind the arrests of its members. The case, entwined with prominent AAP figures, remains a focal point in Delhi’s political landscape, prompting debates and campaigns regarding the alleged misconduct and its implications for the city’s governance.