SC will consider Sanjay Singh’s bail request in the money laundering case on March 19

On March 19, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh’s petition will be heard by the Supreme Court. This appeal challenges a Delhi High Court ruling that denied him bail in relation to the purported Delhi excise policy scandal, linking him to a money laundering prosecution.

The Supreme Court was notified by the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) legal representation that a reply to Singh’s appeal is being worked on and would be issued soon. The ED was already ordered by the Supreme Court to reply to Singh’s suit on February 26.

After receiving feedback from the ED’s attorney, a three-judge panel composed of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Dipankar Datta, and Prashant Kumar Mishra, agreed to continue their talks on March 19. Another of Singh’s petitions contesting his arrest and imprisonment in relation to the same matter will also be discussed during this session.

Singh had previously been denied bail by the Delhi High Court, which cited preliminary evidence of his participation in criminal activity. This prompted him to petition the Supreme Court for remedy.

After the ED searched Singh’s home on October 4, they placed him under arrest. He has been detained without being granted bail till October 13. On October 20, the Delhi High Court dismissed his appeal against the arrest, citing procedural abuse and a violation of a Supreme Court ruling, even though he maintained his innocence.

A second bail request from Singh was denied by the High Court in January on the grounds that it was “premature,” considering the ED’s continuing probe. As to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, Singh was involved in a plot to demand bribes from liquor firms.

Additionally, the agency emphasized Singh’s association with liquor entrepreneur Dinesh Arora, a key witness who subsequently became an informant in the investigation, since 2017. Arora’s testimony and phone records corroborated this.

The ED has also accused Vivek Tyagi, Ajit Tyagi, and Sarvesh Mishra—three of Singh’s associates—of having connections to Arora. Singh is accused of receiving illegal payments of Rs 2 crores twice, connected to the “liquor scam.” The CBI and the ED claim that improper actions were taken while altering the now-canceled Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 and that license holders received excessive benefits.

HC called the bail request “premature.”

A second bail request from Singh was denied by the High Court in January on the grounds that it was “premature,” considering the ED’s continuing probe. Additionally, the agency emphasized Singh’s association with liquor entrepreneur Dinesh Arora, a key witness who subsequently became an informant in the investigation, since 2017.