Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal defies the ED’s sixth summons in the excise policy case, claiming their “illegality.” The AAP asserts the ED should await court decisions, with Kejriwal temporarily exempted by a city court.
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New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has refused the Enforcement Directorate’s sixth summons in the excise policy case, with his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), labeling the summonses as “illegal.” The AAP asserts that Kejriwal will not comply with the summons, citing an ongoing legal battle over their legitimacy. The situation highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for a fair legal process to determine the validity of the summonses.
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Kejriwal, standing firm on his decision, stated-
“ED itself has gone to court. Instead of sending summons again and again, ED should wait for the court’s decision.”
Despite Kejriwal’s repeated non-compliance, the ED sought court intervention, resulting in a legal battle. On Saturday, the court granted Kejriwal an exemption from appearing in person for the day, offering temporary relief amidst the ongoing conflict with the central agency.
The AAP maintained a strong stance, affirming that the ED’s summons were considered “illegal.” The party urged the enforcement agency to respect the legal process and await the court’s decision, rather than continuously issuing summonses to Arvind Kejriwal. This marks the sixth instance where Kejriwal will be skipping the ED summons in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
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Arvind Kejriwal’s counsel cited the commencement of the Budget Session of the Delhi assembly on February 15, which is expected to continue until the first week of March, as the reason for his non-appearance. The counsel moved an application stating that the Delhi Chief Minister would physically appear before the court on the next hearing scheduled for March 16.
Kejriwal stated-
“I will physically appear before the court on the next date of hearing on March 16.”
This declaration underscores the Chief Minister’s intention to engage in the legal process and address the ED’s allegations through the established judicial channels.
On February 2 when Arvind Kejriwal first skipped the ED’s summons, setting the tone for subsequent refusals. The fifth instance, on January 18, was deemed “unlawful” by the party, further intensifying the legal and political drama surrounding the case.
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the agency seeks to record Kejriwal’s statement on crucial aspects of the case, including the formulation of the excise policy, the meetings leading up to its finalization, and allegations of bribery.
ALSO READ: Arvind Kejriwal Expected to Attend Court Tomorrow Regarding Alleged ED Summons Evasion
On December 2, 2023, the ED filed its sixth charge sheet, accusing AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra. The ED alleges that the AAP used Rs. 45 crore, gained through the controversial policy, for its election campaign in Goa in 2022.
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