The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi has ordered Chanpreet Singh, the alleged manager of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) funds for the Goa assembly elections, to judicial custody. Singh, who was arrested last week by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Excise policy case, appeared before the court after the end of his remand period.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, responding to the ED’s application, directed Singh to be sent to judicial custody and declined any further custodial remand. He will remain in judicial custody until April 23, 2024.
According to ED sources, Singh, who worked as a freelance worker for AAP from May-June 2021 to March 2022 during the Goa election campaign, received a salary directly from the party. Additionally, he received payment from m/s Wizspk Communications, engaged by the Department of Information and Publicity of the Delhi government for PR work.
AAP, in its recent statement, alleged that the Delhi liquor policy case relies solely on the statements of approvers, many of whom have direct connections with the BJP, such as Sharath Reddy. The party claimed that the real Delhi liquor scam occurred after the ED arrested Sharath Reddy, who allegedly transferred Rs 55 crore of illicit proceeds to the BJP via electoral bonds. AAP emphasized that despite extensive investigations and raids, no evidence or money has been recovered from AAP leaders.
The ED’s investigation, according to AAP, is politically motivated and relies heavily on statements from approvers associated with the BJP.
Previously, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had also arrested Singh in connection with the same case. The money laundering allegations originated from a CBI FIR.
The Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case has seen the arrest of several individuals, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently under judicial custody in Tihar jail.
This development adds to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the alleged financial irregularities linked to the Delhi excise policy, underscoring the complexity and political undertones of the case.
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