AAP leaders Sisodia and Sanjay Singh's custody extended till 20th
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New Delhi: A Delhi Court has prolonged the judicial custody of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh until January 20 in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise scam.
Special Judge M K Nagpal also granted permission to Singh to attend the returning officer and receive his election certificate on January 12, marking his re-election to the Rajya Sabha. The court allowed this visit amidst the impending unopposed election of Singh and two other AAP candidates due to the party's predominant standing in the Delhi assembly.
The extension of custody was decided upon an application filed by Singh, urging the authorities to facilitate his visit to collect the certificate ahead of the deadline for nomination withdrawals on January 12.
Meanwhile, the court granted interim bail to co-accused Sarvesh Mishra, an associate of Singh, and scheduled his regular bail application for January 20. Mishra was named as an accused in the fifth supplementary chargesheet related to the case.
The alleged excise policy implemented by the Delhi government in November 17, 2021, was terminated in September 2022 amid corruption accusations.
Investigating agencies claim that the policy led to an unjustifiable increase in profit margins for wholesalers, jumping from 5 percent to 12 percent. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate further alleged that the new policy fostered cartelisation and favored ineligible individuals for liquor licenses in exchange for financial benefits.
Despite the accusations, the Delhi government and former deputy chief minister, Sisodia, have refuted any wrongdoing, asserting that the policy was designed to boost revenue rather than engage in malpractice.