Delhi Excise Scam Case: Delhi HC seeks Enforcement Directorate's view on CM Arvind Kejriwal's plea against summons
Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide its stance on a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal contesting the summons issued to him in a case related to money laundering linked to the excise policy, PTI reported. The investigation body argued that the petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor, also challenging specific sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was not maintainable. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait-led bench has granted the ED a two-week period to submit its response.
Kejriwal has approached the court following the latest summons, the ninth issued by the ED, requiring his presence on March 21 for questioning under the provisions of PMLA. Senior advocate AM Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, highlighted various concerns in the petition, including whether a political party falls under the ambit of the anti-money laundering legislation. The court queried the AAP leader about his non-appearance despite the summonses.
The senior counsel for the petitioner stressed the necessity for protection against coercive measures due to the agency's apparent intention to apprehend him during the approaching elections. Kejriwal has consistently refused to comply with these summonses, denouncing them as unlawful. The case revolves around alleged corruption in formulating and executing the city government's excise policy for 2021-22, subsequently annulled.
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