The legal troubles for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seem to be escalating as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a fifth summons for questioning in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. The summons, dated February 2, adds to the series of notices that Kejriwal has previously labeled as “illegal.” In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stated that its legal team is currently scrutinizing the notice, and any decision will be made in accordance with the law.
Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the AAP, had earlier skipped four summons issued by the ED for questioning on November 2, December 21 (both in 2023), January 3, and January 18. The chief minister has consistently dismissed these notices as being without legal merit.
The case revolves around allegations concerning the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, specifically related to the issuance of licenses to liquor traders. It is claimed that the policy allowed for cartelization and favored specific dealers who purportedly paid bribes. The AAP vehemently denies these accusations, asserting that the policy was designed to benefit the public interest.
Notably, the excise policy in question was later scrapped, and Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Subsequently, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), leading to the ongoing legal proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal.
AAP’s national spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar, addressed the latest summons in a brief statement, stating, “We have received news about the fifth summons. Our legal team is studying it, and we will decide what to do as per law. The earlier summonses were illegal, and we had sought a reply from the Enforcement Directorate.”
As the legal tussle continues, it underscores the challenges faced by political figures entangled in legal proceedings and the complex intersection of law, politics, and public perception. The AAP’s response indicates a strategic and legal approach to contesting the summons while maintaining their stance on the legality of the previous notices. The unfolding developments will be closely watched as they unfold in the coming days.
