New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, compelling him to appear for questioning on January 18 in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22, according to sources familiar with the matter. Kejriwal had previously ignored the ED’s third summons, prompting the agency to reissue the summons as his non-compliance hindered their investigation’s progress, as HT reported on January 4.
Responding to the ED’s third summons, which he deemed “illegal,” Kejriwal expressed his willingness to cooperate. However, he alleged that the agency intended to arrest him and impede his election campaigning. The ED aims to question Kejriwal about the policy’s formulation, pre-finalization meetings, and allegations of bribery. Kejriwal had previously dismissed two summons on November 2 and December 22, labeling them “illegal and politically motivated.”
In its sixth charge sheet filed on December 2, 2023, the ED implicated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh and his associate Sarvesh Mishra. The ED alleges that the AAP utilized kickbacks amounting to ₹45 crore, generated through the excise policy, for its assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022. This marks the first time the agency has specified the amount of the alleged kickbacks and directly implicated the AAP as a beneficiary.
The ED contends that a total of ₹100 crore in bribes was paid to AAP leaders in connection with the excise policy. The charge sheet from December 2 also alleges that some AAP leaders personally benefited from the proceeds of crime. It cites bribes linked to jailed AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia worth ₹2.2 crore, along with ₹1.5 crore to former AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair, and ₹2 crore in cash to Singh — all purportedly paid by businessman Dinesh Arora. These revelations are expected to be featured in the ED’s next charge sheet, which may directly implicate the AAP in the case.
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