Shruti Suman
The Enforcement Directorate has issued a seventh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Excise Policy case, instructing him to appear before the agency on February 26, according to sources cited by news agencies. This comes after Kejriwal failed to attend the sixth summons on February 19, which was related to an investigation into money laundering associated with the excise policy.
Kejriwal’s party has labeled the summons as “illegal” and he was granted exemption from personal appearance by the Rouse Avenue court on a previous occasion. His legal team stated that the ongoing Budget Session of the Delhi assembly prevents his immediate appearance, and he is scheduled to physically attend the court hearing on March 16.
The Excise Policy implemented by the Delhi Government, which allegedly facilitated cartelization and favored specific liquor dealers suspected of paying bribes, has been contested by the AAP despite allegations from the central agency. Subsequently, the Delhi Government revoked the excise policy following a recommendation by Delhi LG V K Saxena for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities. Both the CBI and the ED have initiated investigations under the PMLA into the matter.
In connection with this case, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have already been placed under judicial custody. Sisodia, who served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi at the time, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 after extensive questioning, while Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested on October 5 by the ED.
