Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a fresh plea in the Delhi High Court, requesting protection from any coercive action related to the Excise policy case. The plea comes in the wake of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issuing nine summons to him in connection with the case.
A Division bench led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait is scheduled to hear the matter this morning. During a hearing on Wednesday before the Delhi High Court regarding the same issue, Kejriwal’s legal team expressed concerns about potential arrest by the ED. They stated that Kejriwal is willing to cooperate if provided with protection.
The ED’s latest summons, dated March 21, 2024, requires Kejriwal’s appearance for questioning in the Excise Case. In response, the Delhi High Court sought ED’s response to Kejriwal’s plea challenging the summons.
During the court proceedings, Kejriwal’s lawyers were asked why he hadn’t appeared before the Enforcement Directorate earlier. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, pointed out that other AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, had been arrested by the agency. Singhvi expressed apprehension about ED’s intentions but reiterated Kejriwal’s willingness to cooperate under proper protection.
Kejriwal’s plea challenges the validity of a section of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), arguing that it unfairly includes political parties and creates an uneven playing field in the upcoming general elections. The plea alleges that ED’s actions are politically motivated to favor the ruling party.
The plea further claims that ED’s summons were issued with the intention to arrest Kejriwal, despite the agency already possessing extensive documents and information related to the case. The ongoing investigation, which began in August 2022, has led to six Prosecution Complaints being filed.
In a recent development, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Kejriwal in two complaints filed by ED for non-compliance with previous summons. The ED seeks to record Kejriwal’s statement on various aspects of the Excise policy case, including policy formulation, pre-finalization meetings, and bribery allegations.
The ED’s investigation alleges misuse of kickbacks amounting to Rs 45 crore by AAP during the Goa assembly elections in 2022. The excise policy, which aimed to reform Delhi’s liquor business, was scrapped following allegations of irregularities.
Key AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in February, while Singh was arrested by the ED in October.
