The ED claimed that Sarvesh Mishra received 2 crores on two occasions on Sanjay Singh’s behalf at the latter’s apartment.Vivek Tyagi, Sarvesh Mishra, and Kanwarbir Singh, three associates of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, have been called by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Tyagi, Mishra, and Singh were summoned, and Mishra appeared in front of the ED on Friday.
What is the Delhi Liquor Scam
The scam, the CBI alleges, began in June 2021 with a group of businessmen conspiring in Hyderabad to “enrich themselves” and their associates by using the Delhi government’s new liquor policy.
As compared to the rules in other states, the government had no role in selling alcohol under the now-scrapped law that allowed only private stores to do so.
In Delhi, the CBI has summoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the national capital’s now-cancelled liquor sales policy, nearly two months after his former deputy Manish Sisodia was detained in the context of the same case. The probe is related to the now-withdrawn Delhi spirits sales regulation regarding the Delhi Liquor Scam, which was implemented in 2021. According to agency sources, they have discovered new evidence and have reasons to interview the Chief Minister right now.
The primary goal was to reduce black marketing, enhance income, and improve the customer experience. It also permitted home delivery of alcohol and stores to remain open until 3 a.m. Licensees might also provide limitless discounts. The government recorded a significant 27% gain in income from the scheme, totaling over ₹8,900 crore.
However, the changes were quickly interrupted, first with the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing, which reports to the BJP-led government at the centre. Then by Delhi’s new Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who is also a central government representative.
Mr Saxena demanded a CBI investigation after citing a report from Delhi’s top bureaucrat that accused Mr Sisodia of breaking regulations and granting undue favours to liquor vend licensees giving rise to the Delhi Liquor Scam.
Manish Sisodia’s Involvement
Soon after, Manish Sisodia announced that the policy would be scrapped since the BJP was using the investigating authorities under its control to intimidate sellers. He also accused Mr. Saxena’s predecessor, Anil Baijal, for a “last-minute change” that sabotaged the changes. Mr Sisodia had not been identified in the agency’s chargesheet until the day of his arrest. However, the CBI raided 31 places, including his residence, last year.
They found nothing damning, according to the minister, a claim that was not questioned by the CBI. Separately, the ED initiated an investigation into the Delhi liquor scam, citing money laundering, and saying that a liquor lobby known as the “South Group” paid at least ₹100 crore in bribes to the AAP for its Goa election campaign through one of the jailed businessmen.
The ED broadened the scope of the investigation, detaining K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, another outspoken opponent of the BJP. It stated that the policy cost the government Rs. 2,800 crores.
The AAP has refuted all claims, claiming that the inquiry is an effort by the BJP to settle political scores. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal stated that the whole Delhi liquor scam was nothing but a sham. They have formulated the best and most transparent policy in the country.
ED summoning 3 associates
With such a wealth of information at their disposal, the CBI and ED have raided, questioned, and arrested a number of people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair, and it is generally assumed that, in a historic and unprecedented step, the Aam Aadmi Party itself will be charged in this case. The action against AAP leaders comes as the country prepares for a national election next year and numerous state elections this year, provoking outrage from the opposition, which accuses the ruling BJP of targeting opposing politicians via the CBI and ED. The ED claims that Mishra received 2 crores on two occasions on behalf of Sanjay Singh at his apartment.
Tyagi, Sanjay Singh’s personal assistant, was offered a share in Amit Arora’s company, Aralias Hospitality. On Thursday, special judge MK Nagpal remanded Sanjay Singh in ED detention until October 10 to allow the federal investigation agency to question him. On the last day of his imprisonment, the Rajya Sabha MP will be brought before the court.
ED’s Investigation
The ED will interview all three people in front of Sanjay Singh, who is being held in ED custody until October 10. Singh was taken into custody on Wednesday following a day of questioning by ED officials at his Delhi home. The ED informed the court on Thursday that Mishra had collected Rs 1 crore on behalf of the AAP leader over excise policy while seeking Singh’s custody. The ED investigation further found that he had provided Rs 2 crore in cash to Singh on two occasions (Rs 1 crore each time). According to the agency, he confessed that he had also picked up Rs 1 crore in cash from the office of Indo Spirits in Okhla.
Both associates are anticipated to be confronted with Sanjay Singh during the interrogation on Friday. The ED money laundering case is based on a CBI FIR filed in August of last year.
The ED had earlier arrested former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the now scrapped excise policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal Slams CBI
On Friday, Arvind Kejriwal slammed the national government, accusing it of wasting time and resources of investigating agencies in fabricating unsubstantiated allegations against his party and the AAP government in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam.
Kejriwal highlighted his dissatisfaction with the continuing probes, saying, “False accusations are being fabricated by them.” The investigations have generated no significant results. The investigative bodies are wasting their time. Despite many raids and searches by federal authorities, no damning material has been discovered.
