The News Freedom
New Delhi, October 30
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case on November 2. Previously, Kejriwal was summoned by the CBI in April. It is the second time that Kejriwal will be facing an agency, according to media reports. The AAP’s three leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and communication in-charge Vijay Nair have been arrested by the investigating agency in the case so far.
The ED summoned Kejriwal hours after the Supreme Court today dismissed Sisodia’s bail plea in the case. According to the investigating agencies, Sisodia is the prime suspect in the case.
While rejecting Sisodia’s bail plea, the Supreme Court said in its order that “ in view of the assurance given at the Bar on behalf of the prosecution that they shall conclude the trial by taking appropriate steps within next six to eight months, we give liberty to the appellant – Manish Sisodia to move a fresh application for bail in case of change in circumstances, or in case the trial is protracted and proceeds at a snail’s pace in next three months.
“If any application for bail is filed in the above circumstances, the same would be considered by the trial court on merits without being influenced by the dismissal of the earlier bail application, including the present judgement. Observations made above right to speedy trial, will, however, be taken into consideration. The appellant – Manish Sisodia may also file an application for interim bail in case of ill health and medical emergency due to illness of his wife. Such application would be also examined on its own merits.” the Supreme Court further said.
The Mint report said that the ED has mentioned Kejriwal’s name multiple times in its chargesheets filed in the case and said the accused were in touch with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader regarding the preparation and execution of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
“The Central government has only one objective — to destroy the Aam Aadmi Party at any cost,” said senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj. “For this, they are leaving no stone unturned, including creating a fake case. The idea is to send Arvind Kejriwal to jail and destroy the Aam Aadmi Party,” he added, a report in NDTV said.
Meanwhile, after the SC verdict, leaders of Delhi’s BJP unit demanded that Kejriwal resign. “The court order has presented sufficient reason for Chief Minister Kejriwal to resign from his post,” said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva. The CBI contends that liquor companies were involved in framing the excise policy, which would have brought them a 12 percent profit. A liquor lobby it dubbed the “South Group” had paid kickbacks, part of which was routed to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate alleged laundering of the kickbacks, NDTV’s report further said.