Delhi Court Issues Fresh Summons to Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case, BJP Accused of Coercive Tactics
In a significant development, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has issued a fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, compelling him to appear physically on March 16. This summons comes in the wake of a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking prosecution of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader for repeatedly skipping summonses related to a money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
The latest complaint targets Kejriwal’s non-compliance with summonses numbered 4 to 8, issued under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Divya Malhotra has slated the matter for hearing on Thursday.
Amidst these developments, Kejriwal took to social media to launch a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that opposition leaders are being coerced into joining the BJP through harassment tactics employed by the ED. He claimed that the notices from the ED would cease if he acquiesced to joining the ruling party.
Kejriwal, who has consistently labeled the ED summonses as “illegal,” had previously indicated his willingness to participate in the probe via video conferencing after March 12. Asserting his innocence, he maintained that neither he nor his party had engaged in any wrongdoing or attempted to evade accountability.
The ED’s fresh complaint against Kejriwal includes charges under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with relevant sections of the PMLA and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This move mirrors similar actions taken against other political figures, such as former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who were held in contempt for disregarding ED notices.
Kejriwal’s name has surfaced multiple times in charge sheets filed by the ED regarding the excise policy case, wherein it is alleged that proceeds of crime amounting to approximately ₹45 crore were utilized for the AAP’s electoral campaigns in Goa. The ED has already arrested several AAP leaders and liquor businessmen in connection with the case, alleging irregularities in the formulation and execution of the excise policy.
The AAP has vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that the ED’s actions are politically motivated and a flagrant abuse of power by the central government. Kejriwal reiterated these sentiments, accusing the Centre of employing coercive tactics to silence dissenting voices.
As the legal battle intensifies, the ED’s actions against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have raised concerns about the sanctity of democratic institutions and the rule of law. With the upcoming court hearings and continued political fallout, the case remains a focal point of contention between the AAP-led Delhi government and the BJP-led central government.
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