In an ongoing investigation into the excise policy-linked money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued an 8th summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday. This move comes a day after Kejriwal defiantly skipped the 7th summons on Monday, citing the ongoing legal battle over the validity of the ED’s notices.
Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has consistently labeled the ED summons as illegal, emphasizing that the matter is under judicial scrutiny. The probe agency had previously issued a 7th summons on February 22 after Kejriwal failed to appear for questioning in the money laundering case, prompting the ED to approach the court due to the CM’s non-cooperation.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Kejriwal’s repeated refusal to comply, the ED highlighted the AAP’s decision to ignore all seven summonses. The ED’s pursuit of legal action underscores the escalating tension between Kejriwal and the investigative authorities.
The former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, who was called for questioning on multiple occasions, including February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3 in 2024, and December 21 and November 2 in 2023, faces allegations related to the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22.
Probe agencies assert that the policy, which granted licenses to liquor traders, allegedly facilitated cartelization and favored specific dealers who were accused of paying bribes. The AAP has consistently refuted these charges. The excise policy was eventually scrapped in July 2022, following a recommendation by Delhi LG V K Saxena for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and lapses in its implementation. Subsequently, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the matter.
Amid the escalating legal proceedings, Kejriwal’s attempts to evade the summons and his perceived exploitation of his political position have raised eyebrows. His audacious claim of deserving a Nobel Prize for governance has been criticized as naive and out of touch with the ongoing investigation. Critics argue that Kejriwal’s refusal to adhere to the ED’s summons reflects a lack of respect for the rule of law, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the high-profile case.
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