The Enforcement Directorate has reissued a summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning on December 21 in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Initially called to appear on November 2, Kejriwal did not attend, citing that the notice was "vague, motivated, and unsustainable in law," as reported by PTI.
The fresh summons is related to the alleged Delhi excise policy case, specifically for recording Kejriwal's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The allegations involve the claim that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which granted licenses to liquor traders, facilitated cartelization and favored certain dealers who were purportedly involved in bribery, a charge consistently denied by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Following the scrapping of the policy and a recommendation for a CBI probe by the Delhi lieutenant governor, the Enforcement Directorate registered a case under the PMLA. In related developments, Delhi government officials announced that Kejriwal will embark on a 10-day Vipassana meditation course at an undisclosed location starting December 19.
Notably, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh had previously been arrested in connection with the excise policy case.
