The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to AAP MP Sanjay Singh in the Delhi excise policy-linked money-laundering case, bringing relief to the party racked by rumours of disarray within.
The bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna also cautioned the Enforcement Directorate that any observations by the court that there was no “prima facie” material against Singh to keep him in jail would have “ramifications in the trial”.
Additional solicitor-general S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, informed the court that the central agency did not require the AAP leader’s detention in jail anymore.
However, the bench, also comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and P.B. Varale, clarified that the relief granted to Singh could not be treated as a precedent for the other co-accused in the case registered by the ED in connection with the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. The top court also allowed Singh to carry out his political activities.
The direction for bail preceded some gentle nudging by the bench, particularly Justice Datta, who indicated that prima facie the court was of the view that there was no material with the ED warranting the continuing detention of Singh in jail.
“Take instructions whether you really required him after six months? Keep in mind the role attributed to him will be a subject matter of trial. You must please keep in mind if we are with him (Singh), we are required to record in terms of Section 45 (PMLA) that prima facie he has not committed an offence that could have its own ramifications in the trial. You have kept him in custody for six months. Please obtain instructions on whether further detention is necessary or not,” the bench told Raju.
The news of the release of AAP’s key orator has come as a relief for the party at a time chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and former ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain are behind bars.
The AAP is currently in the hands of MP Sandeep Pathak, the party’s national general secretary (organisation).
Although a brilliant strategist, he isn’t known for his oratory or people skills. A source said Pathak would continue to handle the party organisation while Singh would negotiate with the allies and campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.
Bound by bail conditions against speaking about his role in the case, Singh is expected to “focus on the disclosures of the electoral bonds”, the source added.
Singh was admitted to a government hospital here for a checkup and is expected to return home on Wednesday.
The AAP on Tuesday accused the BJP of trying to poach its members. The BJP has denied the charge.
“I want to inform the people of the country that the BJP approached me through an individual who is personally very close to me, to join their party. I was told to either join the BJP, to save and extend my political career, and if I do not join the BJP then I would be arrested by the ED within a month,” AAP leader Atishi said.