The Delhi High Court has summoned AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal in response to the Enforcement Directorate’s urgent plea over his alleged non-compliance with investigation summons. With the next date set for July, this move reignites the controversy surrounding the Delhi liquor scam.
Backgrounding the dispute, the ED filed a complaint in the Rouse Avenue court claiming Kejriwal ignored five summons for interrogation in the excise policy money laundering probe. Shockingly, the trial court acquitted him, citing lack of prima facie evidence, a decision the ED has now contested vigorously in the higher court.
Agency officials argue that Kejriwal’s repeated no-shows, despite being summoned on varied dates, reflect contempt for due process. They highlighted how a person in such an exalted position concocting frivolous reasons erodes public trust in law enforcement and emboldens others to evade scrutiny.
The excise policy, revamped under AAP’s tenure to boost revenue through private liquor retail, collapsed amid charges of cartelization and undue favors to select licensees. ED probes suggest proceeds funded AAP’s poll campaigns, a claim the party vehemently denies.
On the same day, the High Court handling the CBI’s excise case involving Kejriwal and Sisodia postponed proceedings to May 4. Justice Sharma expressed displeasure over pending replies from certain parties, ordering their submission by the weekend ahead of trial court record summoning.
As these cases unfold, AAP faces a litmus test. Kejriwal’s legal team is expected to counter that the summons were mala fide, part of a larger vendetta by the BJP-led center. Observers note this could influence voter sentiment in Delhi and beyond, blending judicial oversight with electoral dynamics.
