On Thursday, a Delhi court ordered the custody of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for five days. This decision came a day after Singh's arrest in the Delhi excise policy case.
Special Judge M K Nagpal ruled for Singh to remain in ED custody until October 10, following the agency's request for a 10-day custodial interrogation.
Links between Sanjay Singh & businessman Dinesh Arora
The ED has discovered connections between AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and businessman Dinesh Arora, who has become an approver, alongside others, in the Delhi e xcise scam case.
Arora, a significant figure in the investigation, allegedly had ties with the South Group, which purportedly paid a kickback of ₹100 crore to the AAP. He was also involved in coordinating money transfers through hawala channels.
Arora's link to Singh's arrest stems from his assertion that Singh introduced him to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is currently incarcerated in the same case.
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All you need to know about Delhi Liquor Scam Case
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Notably, the ED intensified its investigation following the co-operation of YSRCP MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and his son Magunta Raghava Reddy, who recently became approvers.
Srinivasulu Reddy shared crucial information with ED officials, focusing on money transfers through hawala channels related to liquor business deals. This disclosure reportedly aided the ED in apprehending Singh.
Kavitha, along with others, was questioned multiple times at the ED office in New Delhi and subsequently surrendered her mobile phones for examination.
Delhi Excise Case
In its initial legal filing, the ED stated that Vijay Nair, acting on behalf of AAP leaders, received kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore from the South Group, a fact disclosed by individuals interrogated during the investigation.
Nair, listed as the fifth accused in the FIR issued by the CBI in this case, served as the communication and media in-charge of the AAP.
Key figures within the South Group include Srinuvasula Reddy, Raghava Reddy, and Kavitha.
The Group purportedly made advance payments to AAP leaders as part of an agreement between them, leading to unimpeded access, unwarranted favours, and stakes in established wholesale businesses and numerous retail zones that exceeded the permissible limit.
To recuperate the kickbacks, the partners of the South Group received a 65 percent stake in Indo-Spirits. This partnership was established based on Nair’s instructions. Allegedly, Nair assured Sameer Mahandru of Indo-Spirits that he would secure the wholesale business of Pernod Ricard.
The South Group allegedly managed its stakes in Indo-Spirits through deceitful representation, concealment, and proxies.