Court rejects bail plea of AAP MP Sanjay Singh in money laundering case linked to excise policy scam
New Delhi, Dec 22: A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy 'scam', observing that he was connected with the "proceeds of crime to the extent of Rs 2 crore" and the case against him was "genuine".
The Rajya Sabha lawmaker, who was arrested on October 4 this year, is accused of receiving Rs 2 crore, the alleged proceeds of the predicate or scheduled offence involving alleged corruption in formulating and executing the city government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
The CBI had registered the FIR over alleged corruption after a complaint was lodged by Lt Governor V K Saxena.
"Now, coming to merits of the case or the evidence and material collected during investigation against the applicant and produced before the court, it is observed that he is shown to have been connected with proceeds of crime to the extent of Rs 2 crores, which are being alleged to have been generated through the criminal activities of above scheduled offences case of CBI.
"It has been shown that the above amount of Rs. 2 crores was paid or delivered to him, through his associate Sarvesh Mishra who had earlier worked as Personal Assistant to him and he apparently had accepted or taken the said amounts for and on behalf of the applicant," special judge M K Nagpal said in the order.
The judge said the Enforcement Directorate's "basic case" was "approved" by the Supreme Court, which had also "endorsed" that bribes or kickbacks were paid for the formulation of the Delhi government's excise policy of 2021-22.
The court rejected the submissions of Singh that he cannot be made an accused in the money laundering case as he was not named in the main FIR by the CBI (related to alleged corruption).
Referring to some apex court judgments, the judge said not naming Singh in the FIR, nor summoning him to join the investigation was of "no relevancy" if the investigating agency showed sufficient evidence to support his involvement and further detention.
"Considering the oral and documentary evidence in entirety and also in light of the settled legal position, this court is of prima facie view that the case against the applicant (Singh) is genuine and the said evidence and material shows the involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering," the court said.
It said it had been shown that Singh was directly or indirectly involved in activities or processes connected with the proceeds of crime.
"The evidence and material are also sufficient to furnish this court reasonable grounds for believing that he is guilty of the said offence in terms of provisions under Section 45 (cognizable and non-bailable offences) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)," the court said, adding the conditions for grant of bail were not satisfied.
The court said the bail applications of other accused, including Sameer Mahandru, Amit Arora, Vijay Nair, Arun Ramachandran Pillai, Amandeep Dhall and Abhishek Boinpally were already dismissed and its interpretation of the PMLA provisions while dismissing the applications were not set aside by any superior court.
It said the ED showed accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora paid Singh Rs 2 crore.
The court said Arora's statement "prima facie" showed that the amount was paid to Singh as a "bribe or kickbacks in lieu of favours extended to the stakeholders in the liquor business" and it was also the "kickback amount paid or agreed to be paid in connection with formulation or implementation of 2021-22 excise policy."
Arora's disclosures were also corroborated by a protected witness with the pseudonym 'Alpha', the court said.
According to 'Alpha', he was sent by Arora to deliver the cash amounts of Rs 1 crore on two occasions and the protected witness delivered the said amounts to Singh's associate Mishra at his office, the court noted.
"The evidence and material collected during investigation not only shows the relation or connection of applicant with the proceeds of crime generated through the criminal activities of offences pertaining to excise policy of the GNCTD for the year 2021- 22, but such evidence also reflects or shows an attempt on his part made knowingly to be a party to the process or activities connected with proceeds of crime generated or sought to be generated in respect to the previous excise policy of the year 2020 -21," the court said.
The anti-money laundering agency had arrested Singh on October 4. The ED has alleged that Singh played a key role in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped 2021-2022 excise policy, which benefited certain liquor manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, for monetary consideration.
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Rajnath, Shah, other Union ministers change social media profile photos to 'Op Sindoor' logo
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other top ministers on Thursday changed the display pictures on their social media profiles to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The prime minister, earlier in the day, shared a digital poster depicting the now widely recognised logo of Operation Sindoor and urged others to do the same as a mark of respect to the armed forces.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, with Indian forces conducting precision strikes on multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
After launching the military operation, the Indian Army, in a post on X, at 1:51 am on May 7 had said, "Justice is served. Jai Hind!"
On its first anniversary, the Indian military on Thursday said, Operation Sindoor -- "precise in action, eternal in memory" -- reflected the country's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage, coordination and strength.
The Army, the Navy, the Indian Air Force, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the defence ministry also updated the display pictures on their social media profiles to mark the anniversary.
Defence Minister Singh, while updating his profile photo on X, said Operation Sindoor stands as a "powerful symbol" of national resolve and preparedness, and that their actions reflected unmatched precision, and set a "benchmark" for modern military operations.
"On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, we salute the valour and sacrifices of our armed forces, whose courage and dedication continue to safeguard the nation. Their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations," he wrote.
"Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness, showing that our armed forces are always ready to act decisively when it matters most. It also stands testament to India’s steady advance towards achieving #Atmanirbharta, enhancing capability while reinforcing resilience," he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs, led by its minister Jaishankar, also marked the anniversary, and reasserted and amplified India's diplomatic stand on this operation.
"A year ago, #OperationSindoor demonstrated the nation's resolve to defend itself against cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. With its decisive actions, India ensured accountability for terrorist actions. And underlined that such a serious threat to peace and security will be effectively countered. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, India stands strong and determined to convey a message of zero tolerance for terrorism," the EAM posted on X.
Earlier in a separate post, Jaishankar too changed his profile picture and posted an image of the Operation Sindoor logo on the timeline.
Home Minister Shah, in a post on X, said, "Operation Sindoor stands as an epochal mission of India that will always remind our enemies of the infallible striking power of our armed forces."
After Indian forces had launched the operation in the early hours of May 7, Pakistan later also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by India were also carried out under Operation Sindoor.
The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly 88 hours, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi and Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil too updated their profile photos.
The Indian Army in an early morning post wrote, "#OperationSindoor India's resolute response calibrated and precise. Committed to safeguarding sovereignty and its people. #JusticeServed Jai Hind".
It also shared a video clip encapsulating the circumstances that led to the decisive military action in the early hours of May 7 last year, as well as some footage offering a glimpse to the military might of India.
"India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers," PM Modi had earlier said in his address, whose excerpt is part of the widely shared clip.
Recalling the military action launched on the intervening night of May 6-7, the Indian Air Force put out the anniversary post on X at 1:05 AM.
"Operation Sindoor Justice served. Precise in action, eternal in memory-Operation Sindoor continues. India forgets nothing-India forgives nothing. #operation #Sindoor #operationsindoor #IAF," the IAF posted.
The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) also posted the anniversary message at 1:05 AM, saying, "Symbol of national resolve #OpSindoor JAI HIND #OpSindoor #indianarmedforces #NationalSecurity".
The Indian embassies in the US, the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy also updated their display pictures on their social media profiles.
The embassies in France, Germany, Spain and Italy posted on X in French, German and Italian, amplifying the message of the Indian leadership on Operation Sindoor's anniversary in the respective countries.
The Indian Embassy in the UK posted on X, "One year of #OperationSindoor A tribute to India’s resolve, unity, and unwavering stand against terrorism. Saluting the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces who protect the nation with pride and honor. #OpSindoor #IndiaAgainstTerrorism #IndianArmedForces #NationalSecurity #IndiaFirst #SaluteOurForces #JaiHind #OperationSindoorContinues".
The Indian embassy in Israel also changed its profile photo on X and reposted PM Modi's post, and the X account of the embassy in Iran too changed the display picture to the logo of Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Navy in an early morning post on X said Operation Sindoor reflected India's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage and strength.
"Nation's Resolve. Forces United In moments that test a nation's will, the Indian Defence Forces stand united - resolute in purpose, precise in action and unwavering in commitment. #OperationSindoor reflects India's determination to defend its sovereignty with courage, coordination and strength. #OpSindoor #NationFirst #IndianNavy @HQ_IDS_India @adgpi @IAF_MCC," the Navy posted and changed its profile photo.
