AAP MP Sanjay Singh arrested by ED in Delhi excise policy case

New Delhi: In a major setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directore (ED) on wednesday.

Early this morning, the ED team came knocking at Sanjay Singh’s residence regarding his alleged role in the Delhi Excise policy scam case.

Days ago, the investigative agency questioned some staff of the 51-year old Parliamentarian.

Large number of policemen are deployed outside AAP MP’s residence to ward off large gathering of AAP workers at the spot, as this may create trouble for security agencies.

The Delhi Excise policy 2021-2022 rolled out by Arvind Kejriwal govt got mired in huge controversy within months of implementation. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who steered the new liquor policy, is already behind the bars on charges of facilitating monetary benefits to big liquor firm owners.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh came under ED radar after the ED chargesheet stated that restauranteur Dinesh Arora was “extremely close” to both Singh and Sisodia.

Businessman Dinesh Arora is an accused in the liquor policy scam case, who turned approver for CBI. He was arrested by the central agency in July for his ‘crucial & direct’ role in the alleged scam.

What is Delhi Excise policy scam case

Kejriwal-led AAP government brought into effect a new excise policy in year 2012-2022 to revamp the liquor business in the city. Under the new policy, old liquor shops were to be replaced by private retails shops to improve revenue collection & give customers a better shopping experience. However, within a year of its implementation, allegations of money exchanging hands between liquor barons & Delhi govt surfaced.

Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI inquiry into it. According to ED & CBI probe, the licences that were granted to liquor traders allowed cartelization and it helped ‘favoured’ dealers make money as they paid bribes for the same.

The AAP & Delhi government strongly denied the charges and called it a Centre’s ploy to harass its political rivals
by misusing the central agencies.