The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated searches at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into the Delhi liquor policy case. Singh’s name had been prominently featured in an ED chargesheet related to the case.
A team from the Enforcement Directorate conducted these searches at Sanjay Singh’s residence in Delhi. Earlier, the ED had also conducted searches at the premises of several individuals closely associated with the MP as part of the same case.
A video shared by news agency ANI depicted the ED’s probe agency personnel at Sanjay Singh’s residence during the operation.
Sanjay Singh’s name had been mentioned in the chargesheet filed by the ED in connection with the liquor policy case, which has been under scrutiny.
In response to the searches, Sanjay Singh’s father commented, “The department is doing its work, and we will cooperate with them. I will wait for the time when he gets clearance.”
Meanwhile, the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) alleged that the investigative agency was specifically targeting Sanjay Singh due to his vocal stance on the Adani issue in Parliament.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her views on the matter and wrote, “The only dependable allies BJP has in NDA fold are ED, IT, CBI. What a fall for these agencies to reduce their credibility to become a tool for those in power. Condemn the raids being carried out at Sanjay Singh Ji’s home, it’s nothing but intimidation tactics.”
Regarding the ED raids, AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta remarked, “The ED raid is a result of Sanjay Singh being vocal about the Adani issue and the black money invested in his company. Neither they (ED) found anything earlier, nor will they find anything today. None of us is afraid.”
The allegations against Sanjay Singh, as per the ED, relate to his purported involvement with Delhi-based businessman Dinesh Arora, an accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam case. Arora claimed to have met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Singh’s residence, with Sanjay Singh present during the meeting.
According to sources, the event in question was organized to raise funds before the Delhi elections. The ED chargesheet alleged, “He (Dinesh Arora) initially met Sanjay Singh through whom he came in contact with Manish Sisodia during a party at his own restaurant, namely Unplugged Courtyard. On request of Sanjay Singh, he spoke with many of the restaurant owners and arranged cheques amounting to Rs 32 lakh (handed over to Sisodia) for collection of party funds for upcoming elections in Delhi.”
The ED further contended that Sanjay Singh had resolved a long-standing issue faced by Dinesh Arora with the liquor department.
On a related note, a Delhi court recently granted permission for Raghav Magunta, the son of YSR Congress Party Lok Sabha MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, and Dinesh Arora to become approvers in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. Arora has been apprehended by both the ED and the CBI.
The Delhi government’s liquor policy for 2021-22 had been scrapped following a recommendation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for a CBI investigation into alleged corruption. The ED and CBI have both alleged that the policy had allowed for cartelization and favored specific dealers who allegedly paid bribes for licenses.