Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Challenges Summons In Sessions Court Over Excise Case Filed By ED

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a challenge in the Sessions Court against the summonses issued to him by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on complaints from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly failing to comply with the summonses related to the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case. The matter is scheduled to be heard by Special Judge Rakesh Syal this afternoon.

Last week, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate took note of the Enforcement Directorate’s second complaint and issued fresh summonses to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, directing him to appear before the court on March 16, 2024. The ED recently lodged a second complaint against Kejriwal, alleging non-compliance with summonses in the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate has stated that a second complaint has been filed against Arvind Kejriwal under various sections, including Section 190 (1)(a) CrPC, r/w Section 200 CrPC 1973, r/w Section 174 IPC 1860, r/w Section 63 (4) of PMLA, 2002, for non-attendance in compliance with Section 50, PMLA, 2002. Previously, the ED had filed a complaint against Kejriwal, resulting in summonses being issued to him in the matter.

In response to the summonses, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeared virtually before the court on the ED’s complaint alleging non-compliance. Kejriwal expressed his desire to attend the court proceedings in person but cited prior commitments related to the confidence motion and budget sessions preventing him from doing so. Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, representing Kejriwal, filed an exemption plea and assured the court of his physical presence on the next date.

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate granted the exemption plea for the day and scheduled Kejriwal’s physical appearance for March 16, 2024.

In another development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responded to the Directorate of Enforcement, asserting that the ED’s summonses were “illegal.” However, he agreed to appear before the agency virtually on any date after March 12.

The Enforcement Directorate seeks to record Kejriwal’s statement regarding issues such as the formulation of the policy, pre-finalization meetings, and allegations of bribery in connection with the case. The ED has alleged that kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated through the policy were used by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022.

The excise policy, aimed at revitalizing Delhi’s liquor business, introduced discounts and offers for the first time, but was later scrapped after a probe into alleged irregularities. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already under judicial custody in the case.