The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested AAP MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi excise scam.

New Delhi:
In a dramatic development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday knocked on the door of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, intensifying the ongoing probe. The ED’s action follows its earlier investigation into individuals linked to the 51-year-old Rajya Sabha MP. Currently, Singh has been arrested and is being held by the investigation agency.

Sanjay Singh not named in the charge sheet

So far, the ED has not clearly implicated Sanjay Singh in any of the five charges filed in the money laundering probe into the irregularities surrounding around Delhi’s excise policy for 2021-22.
It may be noted that the ED probe into Delhi’s excise policy has led to the imprisonment of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia since February 26 this year.

Sanjay Singh under the lens of the ED

Sanjay Singh’s connection to the ED probe stems from the indictment against Manish Sisodia, which highlighted restaurant owner Dinesh Arora’s close relationship with Singh and Sisodia.
Dinesh Arora, the alleged Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) mover was arrested by the ED in July, with authorities claiming he played a central role in the policing scandal Excise in Delhi.

ED statement against Sanjay Singh

Alleged meeting between Dinesh Arora, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia at Arora’s restaurant, Unplugged Courtyard.
An alleged phone call involving Sanjay Singh and Dinesh Arora in which Singh allegedly discussed the need to fund AAP ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.
He claimed that Singh asked Arora to contact other restaurant owners for financial assistance, leading to the collection of ₹82 lakh in the check given to Sisodia for party funds.
Amit Arora, another businessman, met Sanjay Singh through Dinesh Arora in 2020. Amit Arora was looking for favorable conditions for his liquor business, especially in the context of retail stores controlled by the Delhi government.
Sisodia aims to ensure amendments to the proposed excise policy for 2020-21 to accommodate the changes sought by Amit Arora and Dinesh Arora. In return, Vivek Tyagi, an associate of Sanjay Singh, received shares in Amit Arora’s company Aralias Hospitality.