The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a Delhi court against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with five summonses issued to him. The agency has moved the complaint under sections 190 and 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, along with section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, for not joining the investigation under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has skipped summons on November 2, December 22, January 3, January 18, and February 2. The AAP has claimed that the summonses were politically motivated and illegal. In response to the third summons, Kejriwal stated that he was ready to cooperate but alleged that the agency intended to arrest him and prevent him from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. The agency wants to question Kejriwal on the formulation of the excise policy, meetings held before its finalization, and allegations of bribery. The ED has been conducting a money laundering probe into the Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22 and has filed six charge sheets in the matter. The excise policy aimed to revitalize the city’s liquor business by introducing a license fee-based regime for traders and offering discounts and promotions on liquor purchases. However, the policy was abruptly ended after a probe was recommended into the alleged irregularities in its implementation. This case raises questions about the legality and motivations behind the ED’s actions, as well as the impact on Kejriwal’s ability to campaign for elections. The court is set to hear the matter on February 7, 2024.
Arvind Kejriwal evades summons once more, ED seeks court intervention | Latest News from Delhi
