ED Summons Kejriwal for Eighth Time

ED Summons Kejriwal for Eighth Time

ED Summons Kejriwal for Eighth Time

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is persistently pursuing a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. In the latest development, the ED has issued its eighth summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, setting the stage for a critical appearance on March 4.

Kejriwal’s Persistent Non-compliance and Allegations

Despite seven prior summons, Kejriwal has consistently chosen to skip the ED’s calls, labeling them as “illegal and politically motivated.” He asserts that the ED’s actions are part of a larger political conspiracy, expressing a willingness to cooperate while simultaneously accusing the agency of having ulterior motives, such as hindering his election campaigning.

Key Focus Areas of ED’s Inquiry

The ED aims to record Kejriwal’s statement regarding various aspects of the excise policy, including its formulation, pre-finalization meetings, and allegations of potential bribery. The investigation is rooted in a First Information Report (FIR) that alleges multiple irregularities in the formation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy (2021-22) by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Implications of the Investigation and Previous Charge Sheet

The Delhi Excise Policy faced scrutiny and was eventually withdrawn due to corruption allegations. In its sixth charge sheet filed on December 2, 2023, the ED implicated AAP leader Sanjay Singh and alleged aide Sarvesh Mishra. The charge sheet claimed that kickbacks amounting to Rs 45 crore from the policy were utilized in the AAP’s assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022.

Current Legal Landscape: AAP Leaders in Custody

Presently, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, find themselves in judicial custody in connection to the case. Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26, while Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was apprehended by the ED on October 5. The unfolding legal proceedings continue to draw attention to the intersection of politics and allegations of financial impropriety.