ED Issues Ninth Summons To Delhi CM Kejriwal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear for questioning on March 21 in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case, official sources revealed to news agency Press Trust of Kashmir.
Kejriwal, the 55-year-old national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been asked to present himself at the central agency’s office in central Delhi. This marks the ninth summons issued to him in order to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as per the sources.
Despite the repeated summons, Kejriwal has consistently refused to comply, denouncing them as illegal. The AAP is set to address this matter in a press conference scheduled for Sunday.
On Saturday, a Delhi court granted bail to Kejriwal regarding two complaints lodged by the agency against him for failing to appear for six of the previous eight summons in this case. The ED had sought the prosecution of Kejriwal for his non-compliance.
In recent developments, the ED arrested BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with this case. Kejriwal’s name has been prominently featured in charge sheets filed by the ED in relation to the excise policy case, alleging that he was involved in the preparation of the excise policy for 2021-22.
Several AAP leaders including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, as well as party communications in-charge Vijay Nair, have been arrested by the ED in connection with this case. Additionally, some liquor businessmen have also faced arrest.
The ED has alleged that the AAP utilized “proceeds of crime” amounting to approximately Rs 45 crore in its Goa assembly polls campaign. The excise policy of the Delhi government, which granted licenses to liquor traders, has been accused of facilitating cartelization and favoritism towards certain dealers who allegedly paid bribes. However, these accusations have been consistently refuted by the AAP.
Following the controversy, the excise policy was revoked, and Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the irregularities surrounding its formulation and implementation. Subsequently, the ED initiated a case under the PMLA.
