New Delhi, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in relation to the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Kejriwal has been called to appear before the ED on December 21.
Arvind Kejriwal had previously been summoned by the ED on November 2, but he did not depose before the agency, citing the summons as “vague, motivated, and unsustainable in law.” He opted instead to conduct an election roadshow in Madhya Pradesh.
In response to the latest summons, Arvind Kejriwal questioned the legality and alleged that the notice was “politically motivated” to hinder his campaigning in the upcoming elections. He demanded the ED withdraw the notice, emphasizing its purported political agenda.
The case revolves around allegations that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, granting licenses to liquor traders, allowed cartelization and favored certain dealers who allegedly paid bribes. The AAP has consistently refuted these accusations. Following the scrapping of the policy, the Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI probe, leading to the ED registering a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Arvind Kejriwal, the fifth AAP leader involved in this legal controversy, is set to leave for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course on December 19.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.