Delhi excise policy case: Court extends AAP MP Sanjay Singh's ED custody till October 13
New Delhi (PTI): A special court here on Tuesday extended till October 13 the ED custody of AAP leader Sanjay Singh, arrested in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the scrapped Delhi excise policy.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) now has three more days to interrogate Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, in custody.
Special Judge for ED cases M K Nagpal passed the order on an application moved by the anti-money laundering agency.
The facts stated in the application filed by the ED and the case file produced before the court by the investigating officer reveal discovery of some fresh facts and recovery of some fresh digital evidence in a recent search conducted during the course of ongoing investigation, the judge noted.
He noted the ED's claim that the oral testimony of a witness revealed the role played by Singh in grant of some liquor licences in Punjab. A close associate of the accused told a witness about Singh's alleged involvement in award of liquor licences in Delhi for monetary consideration, the judge noted while extending his remand.
The judge, citing the ED's application, said Singh's associate has been summoned to join the investigation and both were required to be questioned with regard to the fresh evidence.
The court noted it is also being submitted that digital data of around 200 GB has been recovered during the course of fresh search which is yet to be analysed and the accused confronted with it.
"Therefore, in view of the above facts & circumstances and the submissions made, this court deems it necessary to extend the ED custody of accused for a further period of 3 days and he shall now be produced before this court from ED custody on October 13," the judge said.
However, the IO is being directed to ensure that all digital data is analysed without any further delay and the above task of interrogation and confrontation of the accused and also the examination of relevant witnesses shall be completed by then, the judge said.
He ordered that Singh's interrogation shall be conducted at a place having CCTV coverage and the ED will preserve the footage.
The ED's application prayed for extension of Singh's custody, which was to end on Tuesday, by 5 days, accusing him of non-cooperation.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John, who represented Singh, claimed the ED had no ground for seeking extension of the AAP leader's custody in the case which was based on shifting statements of co-accused Amit Arora.
"I (Singh) will not plead guilty to your fanciful allegations," she told the court.
At the end of the arguments on extension of custody, Singh claimed before the judge that the ED tried to whisk him away from its office with "ulterior motive."
"After you granted remand (to ED) on the last date of hearing, at 10 at night, I was told that I was being taken somewhere else. I asked why didn't they inform the court. They (ED officials) said there was some issue of chemical pesticide. They said they have got phone calls from people above. I told them I won't go outside without the court's order. They asked me to give that in writing.
"The next day they said the same thing. They had some ulterior motive. I asked what happens if I am killed in an encounter, who will be responsible? They said they will be responsible. What's the point of responsibility when I am dead. Again and again, I asked for court's order," Singh told the judge.
The judge asked the ED why it wanted a written statement from Singh about his reluctance to leave its office. The central agency rejected Singh's allegations of any wrongdoing.
"You should not take him away without the court's order," the judge said.
"Further, since the accused himself has also raised some concerns about his security in ED custody and hence, it is also being directed that the IO and other senior officers of the ED team investigating this case shall ensure the safety and security of accused in all respects, while he is in the ED custody in terms of this order of the court," the judge said in the order.
The court, meanwhile, directed Singh to not speak to media while being produced, saying it creates security problems. The judge also directed journalists not to ask him questions.
"It creates security problem," the judge said.
Addressing journalists on the court premises before production, Singh said, "Honest people are with us, dishonest with PM Modi."
"Actions are being taken against those who are innocent and who are against them (BJP)," said Singh.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
