Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenges the Enforcement Directorate's second summons, denouncing it as 'illegal' and 'politically motivated,' as the probe agency seeks his statement in connection with the controversial Delhi excise policy case.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal denounced the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons on Thursday, branding it as "illegal" and "politically motivated," reiterating his commitment to transparency. Kejriwal, the AAP chief, expressed willingness to comply with legal summons but insisted that the ED's move was unjust, echoing a similar sentiment from a previous summons, according to media reports.
"I have spent my life with honesty and transparency. I have nothing to hide," asserted the AAP supremo, urging the withdrawal of the summons. The ED had summoned Kejriwal for questioning in connection with a money laundering case related to the scrapped excise policy. This marked the second such summons, the first one being skipped by Kejriwal last month, citing it as illegal and politically driven.
The summons to Kejriwal is linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy case, with the ED seeking his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Notably, two AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, were previously arrested by central probe agencies in connection with the same case.
Delving into the background, Kejriwal had also faced CBI questioning in April concerning an alleged liquor scam. The context of the ED summons revolves around the controversial excise policy of 2021-22 implemented by the AAP government in Delhi. The policy, aimed at privatizing liquor vends through open bidding, faced opposition from various quarters, leading to its rollback in July the following year.
Allegations surfaced that the policy had extended undue financial favors to liquor licensees, prompting a Chief Secretary's report in July 2022 highlighting potential violations of relevant acts and rules.