Today (18th March): A Delhi court has directed Tihar authorities to take Sanjay Singh to Parliament for his Rajya Sabha oath-taking ceremony on March 19.
NEW DELHI: Today (18th March): The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to facilitate Aam Aadmi Party Leader Sanjay Singh’s presence in Parliament on March 19, 2024, while ensuring adequate security arrangements.
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The order, issued by Special Judge MK Nagpal on March 16, 2024, emphasizes the guidelines for Singh’s visit. Further, he is prohibited from using any mobile device or engaging in communication with any co-accused, suspects, or witnesses related to ongoing legal proceedings, including those connected to the CBI case. Moreover, Singh is restricted from addressing the press or conducting public meetings during his visit. However, he retains the privilege to meet his legal counsel and family members.
The decision follows prior permission granted by the court in February, which could not be executed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Sanjay Singh’s arrest came after the allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate(ED) regarding his involvement in the Delhi Liquor Scam during the policy period of 2021–22. Currently, he is in judicial custody, Singh faces charges related to acquiring, possessing, concealing, dissipating, and utilizing proceeds of crime associated with the aforementioned scandal.
“The CBI inquiry was recommended based on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010,” officials said.
“The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection,” the probe agencies said.
As per the allegations, the Excise Department decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules.
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The situation escalates as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha faces similar charges by ED. Following an extensive investigation and raid at her Hyderabad home, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Kavitha, placing her in custody until March 23, 2024.
The investigative agencies (ED) have conducted nearly 200 search operations to find leads in this case. The inquiry began with a CBI case suggested by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, focusing on apparent violations of key statutes like the GNCTD Act 1991 and the Delhi Excise Act 2009.
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Both the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI allege a series of irregularities, including undue favors to license holders, unauthorized waivers or reductions of license fees, and extensions of licenses without requisite approvals. These actions have purportedly resulted in substantial financial losses to the exchequer, with estimates suggesting a deficit of Rs 144.36 crore.
