Arvind Kejriwal Faces Refusal As Delhi Court Declines Stay On ED Summons
Despite receiving eight summonses from the probe agency on various dates, including March 4, February 26, and January 3 of last year, Kejriwal has yet to comply.
The sessions court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue has declined to grant a stay on the summonses served to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The summons were issued in connection to a money laundering case allegedly linked to the Delhi excise policy. Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Syal directed Kejriwal to seek an exemption from appearing before the probe agency through the metropolitan magistrate. Kejriwal had contested the order by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra, who had instructed him to appear before her on March 16.
The ED has lodged two complaints in the magisterial court, seeking Kejriwal's prosecution for repeatedly disregarding summonses. They aim to record his statement regarding the excise policy formulation and allegations of bribery. Despite receiving eight summonses from the probe agency on various dates, including March 4, February 26, and January 3 of last year, Kejriwal has yet to comply.
The excise policy, introduced by Kejriwal's government in 2021-22, aimed to rejuvenate Delhi's liquor trade by replacing the sales-volume-based system with a fixed license fee for traders. However, it was annulled after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena demanded a CBI inquiry, alleging irregularities.
The ED alleges that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received kickbacks totaling ₹100 crore to finalize the excise policy. They claim a significant portion of this sum was diverted to fund the party's electoral campaign in Goa. The agency's charge sheet implicates a certain 'South Group' in these purported irregularities.
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In connection with this case, the ED has already apprehended two senior AAP figures: former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in February last year and Sanjay Singh in October. The arrests underscore the seriousness with which the agency is pursuing its investigation into the alleged financial misconduct.
The refusal by the sessions court to stay the summonses signals a continuation of legal proceedings against Kejriwal, who remains embroiled in this legal battle amid mounting accusations and investigations into his administration's conduct regarding the contentious excise policy.
