In a significant turn of events, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh was arrested on Wednesday following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on his residence. The raids were conducted as part of a money laundering investigation related to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022, which was never implemented.
The ED’s probe into the matter is connected to restaurateur Dinesh Arora, who had turned approver for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi Excise Policy Scam case. A Delhi Court had granted approval for Dinesh Arora and Raghav Magunta Reddy, the son of a YSR Congress Party MP, to become approvers in the money laundering case being investigated by the ED.
ED alleges that AAP MP Sanjay Singh had close ties to Dinesh Arora and had introduced him to former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.
The timing of the arrests, occurring shortly after Arora and Reddy became approvers, has raised suspicions within the AAP. Party leaders have accused authorities of exerting “undue pressure” on businessmen to push them towards becoming approvers to protect themselves.
However, the arrest of Sanjay Singh carries significant political implications, given the upcoming assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. AAP is a part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, which aims to challenge the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in their bid for a third consecutive term in office.
Sanjay Singh has been a vocal member of the Rajya Sabha from AAP between 2018 and 2022. He played a crucial role in the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in Delhi in 2011 and has remained a prominent figure within AAP since its inception in 2012.
Sanjay Singh is viewed as AAP’s link to other Opposition parties, making his arrest a significant development. A weakened AAP, with many of its leaders facing legal issues, could impact the effectiveness of the INDIA bloc’s “Mission 2024.”
Sanjay Singh holds key positions within AAP, serving as a member of the party’s political affairs committee and the national executive. He also acts as the national spokesperson and oversees party affairs in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
AAP has responded to Sanjay Singh’s arrest by suggesting that it reflects the BJP’s frustration as they face challenges from the INDIA bloc. This arrest carries particular weight as it unfolds ahead of crucial assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, adding further uncertainty to the political landscape in India.