Money Laundering Law Should Not Be Used as Tool of Oppression: AAP’s Sanjay Singh Tells HC
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Oct. AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the scrapped excise policy for Delhi, argued in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that the law against money laundering should not be used as a tool of oppression. He demanded his release in the case.
Singh’s counsel, senior advocate Vikram Choudhari, claimed that his arrest was illegal, malicious, and a clear abuse of power. He urged the court to set aside the trial court’s order that remanded Singh to the custody of the ED.
“The Prevention of Money Laundering Act cannot be abused… If we allow such leeway, no one will be safe. This is a classic case of abuse and misuse of power,” Choudhari argued before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.
Singh, who was arrested on October 4, had approached the high court last week to challenge his arrest and remand in the money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.
The ED’s money laundering case is based on the FIR filed by the CBI.
According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, and certain liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers were given undue favors for monetary considerations.
Choudhari argued before the high court that the arrest was not justified as there was a failure to comply with legal provisions. He also stated that there was no necessity to apprehend Singh without any prior notice or summons.
“I am a renowned public figure. I am a mass leader of this country… My arrest is malicious and violates procedure. There is malice in law and fact,” Choudhari said, objecting to Singh’s arrest based on a statement made by approver Dinesh Arora.
Choudhari further emphasized that the law requires the ED to record the grounds for arrest, which was not done in this case. He argued that these grounds cannot be a mere recitation of the statute.
He also pointed out that Singh was never named in any chargesheet filed by the CBI in the main case until his arrest. The mention of his name by the ED in one of its chargesheets was a mistake.
After his arrest, Singh was remanded to the custody of the agency by the trial court. On October 13, he was sent to judicial custody until October 27.
Earlier, Singh’s counsel had argued that the arrest of the “reputed leader” was a knee-jerk reaction and violated due process of law. He urged the court to condemn such actions to protect Singh’s liberty and set the right precedent.
Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that the ED cannot be vindictive, the agency continues to make arrests in an indiscriminate manner, Choudhari had said.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 19, when the ED is expected to make its submissions.
Comments are closed.