Arvind Kejriwal Refuses Third ED Summons in Money Laundering Case Linked to Delhi Excise Policy

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has declined a third summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to an alleged money laundering case associated with irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that while Kejriwal assured cooperation with the probe, he conveyed his refusal through a WhatsApp message, labeling the summons as illegal. The investigators, having received this response, are set to deliberate with the agency’s higher-ups and legal experts for the subsequent course of action.

The ED’s interest in questioning Kejriwal revolves around the formulation of the excise policy, pre-policy meetings, and allegations of bribery. Kejriwal, dismissing the two previous summons on November 2 and December 22, reiterated his stance, denoting them as “illegal and politically motivated.”

In his recent communication to the ED, Kejriwal emphasized compliance with lawful summons but highlighted the current summon as not in alignment with the law. He pointed out the lack of specification regarding the necessity for his in-person appearance, indicating a probable intent to harass and embarrass him.

The ED has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore in finalizing the excise policy, with a segment allegedly channeled into the Goa election campaign. AAP has vehemently denied these accusations, branding the case as a “witch-hunt” orchestrated by the Union government to undermine the party.

Furthermore, amid this legal fracas, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in detention as part of this case. The ED has sought court permission to probe AAP as a beneficiary of the “proceeds of crime.”

The ongoing tussle between the ruling AAP and the ED has intensified, with AAP accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a conspiracy to implicate Kejriwal, possibly to weaken AAP’s standing. Meanwhile, BJP lawmakers like Ramvir Singh Bidhuri have urged Kejriwal to comply with the law and participate in the investigation, criticizing his evasion of the summons and its potential impact on his public image and credibility as the Chief Minister.

The excise policy, touted as Kejriwal’s brainchild, faced severe scrutiny from the ED, which highlighted alleged meetings, involvement of private entities, and the infusion of southern political and business players into Delhi’s liquor business.

The policy aimed at rejuvenating the city’s liquor business, transitioning from a sales-volume-based model to a trader license fee system. However, the Lieutenant Governor’s order to probe reported irregularities led to its annulment, with AAP accusing the former Lieutenant Governor of making last-minute alterations resulting in reduced revenues.

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