GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Nov. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday did not appear for the questioning session with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the money laundering case related to the excise policy. Official sources have stated that the agency is expected to issue new summons to him.
According to sources, Kejriwal, who is also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, sent a two-page letter to the investigating officer of the case. In the letter, he requested the agency to withdraw the summons, claiming that they are vague, motivated, and not legally sustainable.
The ED is currently examining Kejriwal’s response.
Sources suggest that a new date for Kejriwal’s appearance may be set soon, as the Supreme Court has recently taken note of the prosecution’s assurance that the trial will be concluded within the next 6-8 months.
The central agency had summoned Kejriwal to question him about the alleged Delhi excise policy case and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kejriwal’s party colleagues, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are currently in judicial custody in connection with this case.
The AAP has accused the BJP of planning to target top leaders of the INDIA alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. They alleged that Kejriwal will be the first to be arrested, and the ED’s summons are an attempt to undermine the party’s power in Delhi and Punjab.
The AAP has repeatedly denied the allegations that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 favored certain liquor traders who allegedly paid bribes. They claim that the policy allowed cartelization, but this charge has been refuted by the party.
Following the scrapping of the policy, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI probe, leading to the ED registering a case under the PMLA.
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