Paromita Das
New Delhi: In the ever-evolving political drama surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who is currently out on bail, has yet again found himself at the center of controversy. In what appeared to be a calculated move to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh ended up inadvertently exposing his own party supremo, Arvind Kejriwal, to fresh legal troubles. His misstep not only undermines AAP’s credibility but also raises questions about possible internal rifts within the party.
The Controversial Post and the Half-Baked Truth
The controversy stems from a recent post made by Sanjay Singh on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, in which he attempted to highlight an alleged legal setback for the BJP leadership. Singh’s post claimed that a Delhi court had directed the police to register an FIR against top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda, among others.
His sarcastic challenge to the media—urging them to show courage and report this development—seemed like a bold political strike. However, upon fact-checking, it became evident that Singh had selectively shared a partial court order, conveniently omitting key details that revealed a very different reality.
In what can only be described as a self-goal, Singh’s attempt to highlight a case against BJP leaders actually reinforced the legal troubles for his own party leader, Arvind Kejriwal. The ACJM District Court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, had in fact directed the police to register an FIR against Kejriwal himself and several others over illegal hoardings, an issue that dates back to his tenure as Delhi Chief Minister.
The Court Order and the Legal Ramifications for AAP
The case in question revolves around the alleged violation of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act (DPDP), 2007. The court order, passed by ACJM Neha Mittal, instructed the police to immediately register an FIR against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, including MLA Gulab Singh and Nigam Parshad Nitika Sharma.
According to Shiv Kumar Saxena, the complainant who filed the case under Section 156(3) of the Cr.P.C, large-sized hoardings had been illegally installed across public spaces in Delhi’s Dwarka region in 2019. These hoardings, some of which promoted government schemes and festival greetings, prominently featured photographs of Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. However, there was also mention of hoardings with BJP leaders’ pictures, leading to further legal entanglements.
While Singh tried to spin this as a BJP embarrassment, the court’s order made it clear that the primary focus was on Kejriwal and his associates for their role in misusing public money for political advertising.
The Judiciary’s Take on Illegal Hoardings
Illegal hoardings have been a long-standing issue in Delhi. In its ruling, the court strongly condemned the defacement of public property, noting that such acts not only mar the city’s aesthetics but also pose safety risks by distracting drivers and pedestrians.
The DPDP Act, 2007, under which the FIR has been registered, treats such offenses as cognizable crimes, meaning the police are required to take immediate action. The court noted that Saxena had provided photographic evidence with date and time stamps, clearly showing the unauthorized hoardings in multiple public spaces.
The judge also pointed out that the investigating agency had repeatedly delayed filing the necessary reports, despite several court directives, effectively ignoring the case. The ruling emphasized that law enforcement could not selectively ignore complaints based on political convenience.
Sanjay Singh’s Political Miscalculation
What makes Sanjay Singh’s move particularly reckless is that he inadvertently boosted judicial activism against his own party’s leader. While the AAP has frequently criticized the judiciary for being biased against opposition parties, Singh’s attempt to corner the BJP actually ended up legitimizing legal proceedings against Kejriwal.
This raises a crucial question: Was this an oversight or a calculated move? Some political analysts suggest that Singh’s actions could be a sign of internal power struggles within AAP. With Kejriwal embroiled in multiple legal battles, including the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam, there may be factions within the party positioning themselves for a potential leadership change.
Singh’s desperation to attack Modi and Shah seems to have blinded him to the broader implications of his post. Instead of gaining political ground, he has inadvertently given the BJP a fresh talking point against AAP—that even its own members are highlighting Kejriwal’s legal troubles.
How the Media and Public Perception Played a Role
Another interesting aspect of this episode is the selective media coverage. While Sanjay Singh tried to bait journalists into amplifying his claims, most mainstream outlets did not fall for it. Some media houses initially reported the case without verifying the details, but fact-checks quickly exposed Singh’s misleading narrative.
This incident underscores a broader trend in Bharatiya politics: social media sensationalism often trumps factual accuracy. Politicians from all parties frequently share partial information or distorted narratives to fit their political agendas. However, in this case, Singh’s attempt backfired spectacularly, damaging AAP’s credibility more than BJP’s.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale in Political Opportunism
Sanjay Singh’s misstep serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political opportunism and misinformation. In his zeal to target Modi and the BJP, he not only exposed the legal vulnerabilities of his own party supremo, Arvind Kejriwal, but also undermined AAP’s position in the ongoing legal battles.
The case also highlights the role of the judiciary in holding politicians accountable, regardless of party affiliation. While judicial activism has been a contentious issue in Bharat, this case proves that courts can act against leaders across the political spectrum.
For AAP, this episode should serve as a wake-up call. With Kejriwal facing mounting legal troubles and party infighting becoming more visible, AAP needs to reassess its strategy if it wants to remain a serious political force. If internal rifts deepen, the party could find itself in an existential crisis ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
As for Sanjay Singh, this controversy may haunt him for a long time. In his eagerness to attack his political opponents, he may have unknowingly accelerated Kejriwal’s legal downfall—and in the process, dealt a self-inflicted wound to his own party’s future.
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