Excise Policy Case: A city court has issued summons to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following a complaint lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for failing to comply with summons issued by the central agency in a money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra, in issuing the summons, acknowledged the complaint filed by the ED and directed the Delhi Chief Minister to appear before the court on February 17.The court has taken cognisance of the complaint and ordered summons to be issued for February 17, stated the court.Background of the complaintThe courts decision stems from a fresh complaint filed by the ED against Kejriwal for non-compliance with summons in a money laundering case associated with the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.The ED had issued five summons to Kejriwal regarding the money laundering case. However, the AAP leader refrained from attending, asserting that the summons were illegal and politically motivated. He alleged that they were designed to hinder his participation in the upcoming elections.Involvement of AAP leadersNotably, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also embroiled in charges related to the Delhi Excise Policy. They face accusations in cases registered by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of the policy. Currently, they are held in Tihar Jail under judicial custody.Sisodia faces charges of corruption and money laundering in both the CBI and ED cases concerning the alleged policy irregularities. Meanwhile, Singh is implicated in the money laundering case.Allegations by investigative agenciesCentral investigative agencies assert that the formulation and execution of the now-abolished Delhi Excise Policy were marred by irregularities aimed at facilitating unlawful benefits for private liquor businessmen in exchange for kickbacks.The summons issued to Arvind Kejriwal by the city court reflects the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the Delhi Excise Policy and underscores the complexities surrounding political and legal accountability in governance matters.
