Excise Policy Case: On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, regarding the money laundering related to the Delhi excise policy case.
Kejriwal has been issued a warrant under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is scheduled to record his statement on November 2 when he meets with the investigating authority in Delhi.
In the ongoing case, the Enforcement Directorate has brought up Arvind Kejriwal's name in its chargesheets many times, contending that the accused individuals had been in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader considering the formulation and execution of the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.
On April 16, Arvind Kejriwal was investigated by the CBI for nine hours or more regarding the criminal conspiracy and corruption probe in the case.
According to Arvind Kejriwal's comments “I was called at 11 am and they investigated me until 8.30 pm. They asked me in a cordial atmosphere. I want to thank CBI officers for their courtesy and hospitality. I answered all the questions because I did not have anything to cover up”.
Two leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and ex-deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia are in jail in association with the case.
In November 2021, the AAP government enforced the excise policy case. On July 31, 2022, the Arvind Kejriwal government discarded it after the policy came under scanner.
On August 17, 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case about alleged irregularities in the undertaking of the policy against 15 accused including Sisodia.
Two days later, the agency conducted an investigation at the premises of AAP leaders in Delhi.
On October 17, 2022 Manish Sisodia was suspected by the CBI for approximately eight hours.
On February 18, 2023, the CBI again summoned him days after filing a chargesheet in the case.
The AAP leader was eventually arrested on February 26 by the central agency.
In a connected development, the Supreme Court has rejected two separate bail petitions from AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
These cases have allegations of money laundering and corruption associated with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, with an interim indication of a transfer amounting to Rs 338 crore in the case.