Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was slated to make an appearance before the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday concerning the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam, has reportedly bypassed the summons, as indicated by party sources. Instead, he is embarking on a journey to Madhya Pradesh for election campaign activities. This summons arrives after approximately six months since Kejriwal underwent a nine-hour-long interrogation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the excise policy scam.
“He will be going to Madhya Pradesh’s Singrauli where he will take part in a roadshow along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He will leave for Madhya Pradesh in a while,” a party source disclosed.
Sources suggest that a new date for Kejriwal’s appearance may be issued soon, especially since the Supreme Court recently acknowledged the prosecution’s commitment to concluding the case’s trial within the next 6-8 months.
In response to the ED’s notice, Kejriwal has penned a letter, urging the investigative agency to withdraw its summons, contending that it is “illegal and politically motivated.” The Delhi Chief Minister’s Office has also described the notice as an attempt to hinder his campaigning efforts in the upcoming elections, alleging that it was sent at the behest of the BJP.
Earlier this year, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in connection with this case. The ED subsequently arrested Sisodia in a money laundering case stemming from the CBI’s FIR. Despite his bail plea being rejected by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal continues to maintain that the entire case is “fabricated” and an endeavor to undermine the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate centers around the Delhi government’s now-discarded excise policy for 2021-22, which allegedly favored specific liquor dealers—an allegation vehemently denied by the AAP. The chief secretary’s report, which prompted a CBI probe, cited various purported irregularities, including a waiver of Rs 144 crore to retail licensees in the name of COVID-19-impacted sales, and a Rs 30 crore refund to a successful bidder for the airport zone who failed to obtain a no objection certificate for opening liquor stores there. Additionally, it was alleged that the commission of wholesale licensees was increased from five percent to twelve percent in a possible “quid pro quo” scenario.
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