On February 27, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued an eighth summons to Mr. Kejriwal, scheduling his appearance at the agency’s headquarters on March 4.
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NEW DELHI: Today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responded to the eighth summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the money laundering investigation into irregularities concerning the Delhi excise policy case. Despite contesting the legality of the summons, Mr. Kejriwal expressed his readiness to cooperate with the probe agency’s inquiries, suggesting a date after March 12.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated that Mr. Kejriwal would participate in the hearing via video conferencing. However, the ED insists on physically interrogating the Delhi Chief Minister, asserting that there is no provision for virtual questioning.
This development follows the issuance of the eighth summons by the ED on February 27, designating March 4 as the appointed date for Mr. Kejriwal’s appearance at the agency’s headquarters.
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The ongoing investigation revolves around purported irregularities in the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy (2021-22). The ED aims to obtain Mr. Kejriwal’s statement regarding policy formulation and allegations of bribery.
Mr. Kejriwal has previously disregarded seven summonses from the ED, denouncing them as “illegitimate and politically driven.” In a statement, the AAP urged the ED to halt further summonses and await the court’s ruling.
The excise policy, intended to revamp the liquor trade in the national capital, pledged a modernized shopping experience with discounts and incentives. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s directive to investigate alleged irregularities led to the policy’s cancellation. The AAP accuses Mr. Saxena’s predecessor, Anil Baijal, of last-minute alterations that negatively impacted revenue projections.
In connection with the case, two prominent AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial custody. Mr. Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 last year, while Mr. Singh, a member of the Rajya Sabha, was arrested by the ED on October 5.
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