Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently visited the family of AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case related to the investigation into the Delhi liquor policy. Kejriwal made a statement, saying, “If we are dishonest, all our problems will be solved,” taking a dig at the Centre and its alleged misuse of central agencies. He emphasized the difficulties of honesty and claimed that BJP leaders are corrupt from top to bottom, highlighting the AAP’s commitment to integrity.
Sanjay Singh is the third AAP leader and second high-profile figure to be arrested in the liquor policy case, following the arrest of Manish Sisodia. Satyendar Jain, a former Delhi minister, was also arrested in a separate money laundering case last year. Kejriwal expressed frustration over the lack of recovery despite over 1,000 raids conducted in the liquor case.
The arrest of Sanjay Singh came shortly after the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at his residence. In a video message prior to his arrest, the defiant MP stated, “I am ready to die, but not to be scared.” Kejriwal attributed the BJP’s frustration and these arrests to their fear of losing the 2024 polls to the INDIA bloc. He praised Singh’s bravery and dismissed any belief that these arrests would intimidate them.
The raids on Singh were based on allegations made by businessman Dinesh Arora, an accused in the case, who later turned approver. Arora claimed that Singh had introduced him to Sisodia when he was the excise minister. The ED and the CBI have accused the Delhi government’s excise policy of favoring certain dealers who paid bribes for licenses, leading to cartelization. The AAP, however, has strongly denied these allegations.
Following recommendations from Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the liquor policy was scrapped, and a CBI probe into alleged corruption was initiated. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested for alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the liquor policy, and Kejriwal was questioned as a witness in the case. The Chief Minister has not been summoned for further questioning since then.