The ED has summoned Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in the money-laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. This marks the second summons related to the case. Previously, on April 16, Kejriwal, who serves as the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was interrogated by the CBI for more than nine hours in connection with the same case. Kejriwal is scheduled to appear before the ED on November 2, which the AAP has criticized as an alleged attempt by the BJP-led Centre to undermine their party.
In this matter, the enforcement agency took action in February by arresting Arvind Kejriwal’s former deputy, Manish Sisodia. On October 4, they also arrested Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh. Notably, the Chief Minister received the summons shortly after the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to Manish Sisodia in the Delhi excise policy-related money laundering case, which has now been withdrawn. The court expressed that a tentative money trail of Rs 338 crore had been established in this case.
Atishi, a senior leader and Delhi Minister from AAP, characterized the ED’s summons to Kejriwal as a manifestation of the BJP’s apprehension towards their party. She claimed that the “BJP is fearful of AAP’s influence and suggested that the ED’s move is part of a conspiracy to unjustly arrest Kejriwal”. She emphasized that “AAP will remain committed and undeterred in serving the common people of India, even if it means going to jail.”
The AAP government in Delhi faced allegations of implementing a policy that favored specific liquor traders who were purportedly involved in bribery. The ruling AAP has consistently refuted these accusations. The controversial excise policy was put into effect on November 17, 2021, but was terminated on August 31, 2022. This decision came after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena raised concerns about alleged irregularities and recommended a CBI investigation.
In response to AAP leaders’ claims that Kejriwal was being unfairly targeted, the BJP attempted to discredit what they called “bechara politics” by the AAP.
Harish Khurana, a leader from the Delhi BJP, asserted that the AAP had previously made comparable statements when their other leaders were arrested in the same case. He dismissed the “AAP’s attempt to portray Arvind Kejriwal as honest, attributing it to their frustration”. He further claimed that Kejriwal is widely believed to be the central figure in the liquor scam.
