Delhi Court Grants Jail-Confined AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Permission To Swear-In As Rajya Sabha MP

In a significant development, a Delhi court has granted permission to Sanjay Singh, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who is currently incarcerated, to fulfill his duty as a Member of Parliament (MP) by taking the oath in the Rajya Sabha for the second time.

Sanjay Singh, who was re-elected to the Upper House from Delhi, found himself unable to take the oath on the scheduled date due to procedural reasons. However, the Rouse Avenue Court has now permitted him to attend Parliament on either February 8 or 9, albeit under police custody. This decision marks the second time the court has granted such permission to Singh, indicating the significance of his participation in parliamentary proceedings.

The court's authorization includes provisions for Singh to be escorted to Parliament under judicial custody and appropriate security arrangements. This ensures that Singh can fulfill his parliamentary obligations while still abiding by the legal constraints imposed upon him.

The AAP leader's absence from the oath-taking ceremony earlier was attributed to procedural limitations and not any reluctance on his part. Sources from the Rajya Sabha Chairman's office clarified that Singh's inability to take the oath on the scheduled date was due to his suspension stemming from previous unruly conduct during the Monsoon session. His suspension remains in force until the Privileges Committee submits its report and the House deliberates on it.

Sanjay Singh's legal entanglements stem from a money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Despite these challenges, he was renominated by the AAP for another term in the Rajya Sabha in January, emphasizing the party's confidence in his leadership and commitment to representing the interests of the people.

Singh's determination to discharge his duties as an elected representative was evident in his plea filed with the Rouse Avenue Court. Initially, he sought a seven-day interim bail to attend the ongoing Parliament session, which spans from February 5 to February 9. However, he later revised his application, requesting permission solely for attending the oath-taking ceremony.

Overall, the court's decision to grant permission to Sanjay Singh underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring the participation of elected representatives in parliamentary affairs, despite the challenges they may face. It reflects a balance between upholding the rule of law and facilitating the effective functioning of the democratic process.