UP Court Frames Charges Against AAP MP Sanjay Singh In 2021 Model Code Violation Case, Rejects Discharge Plea

A special MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur on Tuesday (3 June) formally framed charges against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with a four year old case involving alleged violations of the model code of conduct and COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Singh, who was present in court, had earlier sought discharge from the case, but the court rejected his plea and proceeded with the charge-framing process, reported PTI.

His advocate, Madan Pratap Singh, confirmed the development, stating, the AAP leader appeared in court on Tuesday as it turned down his application for discharge and accepted the charge-framing petition, proceeding to formally frame charges against him.

The hearing has now been adjourned to 5 July, owing to the absence of two co-accused in the matter.

The case stems from a public meeting held on 13 April 2021 in Hasanpur village, under Bandhua Kala Police Station, during the Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections.

Singh had allegedly addressed the gathering in support of Salma Begum, an AAP-backed candidate, without securing official permission, thereby breaching election protocols and pandemic-related restrictions.

An FIR was subsequently lodged naming Singh and 13 others, along with 45 unidentified individuals, for violating the model code and pandemic protocols.

While most of the accused were granted bail earlier, Singh failed to appear in court, prompting a bailable warrant.

He eventually surrendered in July 2024 and secured bail on furnishing two sureties of Rs 20,000 each and a personal bond.

Police later filed a charge sheet naming several Hasanpur residents as co-accused in the case.

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