The Supreme Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to a bail plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scam. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta issued the notice, seeking the probe agency's reply.
Sanjay Singh, a Member of Parliament from AAP, approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail application earlier this month. In addition to challenging the denial of bail, Singh's petition before the apex court also contests his arrest and remand by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sanjay Singh, urged the Supreme Court to issue a notice on his client's bail plea and requested that the related petition be tagged together. Singhvi highlighted that both matters are scheduled for a hearing on March 5 and should be addressed collectively.
The Delhi High Court, in its ruling on February 7, turned down Sanjay Singh's bail plea, citing substantial evidence against him, including statements from witnesses and an approver. However, the court emphasized Singh's right to a fair trial and directed the trial court to expedite proceedings once initiated.
Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4, 2023, and has remained in the agency's custody since October 13 of the same year. He sought bail on the grounds of his extended custody period exceeding three months and his alleged lack of involvement in the primary offense.
In opposition to Singh's bail plea, the Enforcement Directorate contends that he played a pivotal role in the Delhi liquor policy scam, receiving proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 2 crore. The agency further alleges his close association with multiple suspects implicated in the case.
Overall, the Supreme Court's notice to the Enforcement Directorate marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Sanjay Singh's bail plea, underscoring the complexity and gravity of the allegations against him.
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