The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday approached the court against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with the summons issued in the money laundering case related to ‘Delhi Liquor Scam’.
ED has so far issued 5 summons against Kejriwal. But he did not even once give time to ED for questioning.
On Saturday, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court heard some arguments of ED. The case will be heard on February 7 to consider the remaining arguments.
The complaint was filed before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra, who posted the case for further hearing on February 7.
“A fresh complaint has been received for non-appearance in compliance with Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002,” the judge said.
The judge heard partial arguments and adjourned the hearing of the case. The judge said, “This is a case of fresh complaint.” The arguments were heard. The remaining arguments will be placed on February 7, 2024.
This is now a double blow for Kejriwal. Both Delhi Crime Branch and ED have cracked down on the Chief Minister in two separate cases.
A dramatic incident took place at Kejriwal’s residence here on Saturday when a Crime Branch team went there to serve a notice in connection with the investigation into allegations of BJP attempting to poach some Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. Reached.
Talking about ED, this central agency has been sending summons to Kejriwal in the liquor case since last year. Till now Kejriwal has refused to appear before the agency, terming the five summons as illegal.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Friday for questioning in an alleged money laundering case related to the now scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.
Earlier, ED has issued summons against Kejriwal on 2 November, 21 December, 3 January, 19 January and 2 February.
Kejriwal was issued summons for the fifth time by the central agency on Wednesday. Terming the summons as “illegal”, the party said the Enforcement Directorate was repeatedly sending notices to arrest Kejriwal.
It is alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 regarding granting licenses to liquor traders benefited some liquor traders who had allegedly paid bribes for it.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party has repeatedly denied the allegations. Later this policy was withdrawn and Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena had recommended the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case.
After this the ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).