Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in the Delhi excise policy case. This development coincides with the Supreme Court’s rejection of his former deputy Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in the same case, with instructions to expedite the trial in cases being investigated by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) within the next eight months.
Supreme Court’s Decision
The ED summons come on the heels of a significant decision by the Supreme Court, which rejected the bail plea of Manish Sisodia, the former deputy of Arvind Kejriwal. The court has directed the speedy resolution of the cases currently under investigation by both the CBI and the ED. The legal proceedings against the accused are to be completed within the next eight months.
Government’s Response
In response to the summons, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj voiced his concerns, stating, “As per the news that the Central Government’s ED has sent a summons to Delhi CM, it becomes clear that the Centre has only one aim: to somehow finish AAP. They are not leaving a stone unturned in framing a false case to put CM Arvind Kejriwal in jail and to finish AAP.”
Kejriwal’s Previous Questioning
Arvind Kejriwal had previously been questioned by the CBI for approximately nine hours on April 16, in connection with a corruption and criminal conspiracy probe linked to the case. Following the interrogation, he had expressed his appreciation for the cordial atmosphere during the questioning, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate fully.
Case Background
The case centers around the Delhi excise policy, implemented by the Arvind Kejriwal government in November 2021. However, the policy came under scrutiny and was eventually scrapped on July 31, 2022. Subsequently, the CBI registered a case in connection with alleged irregularities in the policy’s implementation, naming 15 individuals, including Manish Sisodia, as accused.
Sisodia was arrested by the central agency on February 26, after being summoned and questioned multiple times. The case has seen several twists and turns, with AAP leaders and officials facing legal action in relation to the Delhi excise policy.
As the ED summons Arvind Kejriwal for questioning, the case continues to generate significant attention and speculation regarding the outcomes of the investigations and legal proceedings.
Sources By Agencies