[BREAKING] Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Sets Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against ED Summons On September 9

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Justice Prathiba M Singh’s bench granted Kejriwal four additional weeks to file a rejoinder to the ED’s response.

[BREAKING] Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Sets Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against ED Summons on September 9 — [BREAKING] Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC Sets Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea Against ED Summons on September 9

NEW DELHI: Today (11th July): The Delhi High Court scheduled Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s hearing for September 9, regarding his challenge to summonses from the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to an excise policy.

Justice Prathiba M Singh’s bench granted Kejriwal four additional weeks to file a rejoinder to the ED’s response.

The senior counsel, appearing for Kejriwal, sought more time to file the rejoinder saying there are certain changes in the circumstances and they have not been given a proper legal interview, a plea for which is pending in the high court.

“Let the rejoinder be filed in four weeks,” the bench, also comprising Justice Amit Sharma, said.

The ED had earlier argued that Kejriwal’s petition against the summonses became irrelevant after his arrest on March 21. Following the court’s refusal of interim protection, on April 22, Kejriwal was given two weeks to file a rejoinder, extended by four weeks in May.

The AAP national convenor approached the high court after receiving the ninth summons from the ED, requiring his appearance on March 21. On March 20, the high court directed the ED to respond regarding the petition’s maintainability.

The following day, it asked the ED to also address Kejriwal’s plea for protection from arrest, indicating it was not inclined to grant interim relief at that time. Later that evening, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED.

On June 20, a trial court granted bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case, but on June 25, the high court stayed this bail order following a challenge by the ED. Subsequently, on June 26, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the Delhi chief minister in a corruption case related to excise policy.

The ED has alleged that Kejriwal was in contact with other accused individuals to formulate an excise policy that was subsequently cancelled, resulting in undue benefits to them and kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

In his petition, Kejriwal has challenged the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), particularly concerning arrest, questioning, and bail.

He has raised various issues, including whether political parties fall under the purview of anti-money laundering laws. Kejriwal’s plea argues that arbitrary procedures under the PMLA are being used to tilt the electoral process in favor of the ruling party at the Centre.

Describing himself as a “vocal critic” of the ruling party and a partner of the opposition INDIA bloc, Kejriwal’s plea alleges that the ED, controlled by the Union government, has been politicized.