Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly claimed that the company’s solely purpose is to arrest him.
New Delhi:
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal skipped the fifth summons within the alleged liquor coverage rip-off, the Enforcement Directorate has approached a court docket and filed a criticism stating that he has not appeared for questioning. The Rouse Avenue court docket in New Delhi will hear the case on Wednesday.
Mr Kejriwal had refused to seem earlier than the Enforcement Directorate on Friday and has repeatedly claimed that the summonses issued have been unlawful and the company’s solely purpose is to arrest him. Hypothesis concerning the AAP chief’s arrest has been rife ever for the reason that first summons was issued by the company on November 2.
Two different AAP leaders – former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh – have been taken into custody in reference to the case final 12 months.
The Enforcement Directorate’s criticism earlier than the Rouse Avenue court docket on Saturday has been filed beneath Part 63 (4) of the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA), which offers with an individual deliberately disobeying any route issued beneath Part 50 – the clause that offers the company the facility to summon an individual.
Part 174 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant, additionally finds point out within the criticism.
Reacting to Friday’s summons, the AAP had termed the company’s actions “politically motivated” and “illegal”.
“PM Narendra Modi’s purpose is to arrest Arvind Kejriwal and topple the Delhi authorities. We won’t enable this to occur,” the get together had mentioned in a press release.
The Delhi chief minister has skipped 5 summons by the ED – on November 2, December 21, January 3, January 19 and February 2 – and had been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in reference to the case in April final 12 months, however was not made an accused by the company. The ED is investigating the money-laundering angle within the case.
The Case
Beneath the liquor coverage, launched in November 2021, the federal government withdrew from retail sale of liquor and allowed non-public licensees to run shops. In July 2022, Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar flagged gross violations within the coverage and alleged “undue advantages” to liquor licensees. The coverage was scrapped in September that 12 months.
The CBI has alleged that liquor corporations have been concerned in framing the excise coverage, which might have introduced them a 12% revenue. It mentioned a liquor foyer dubbed the “South Group” had paid kickbacks, a part of which have been routed to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged laundering of the kickbacks.
The BJP has claimed that the proceeds of the alleged rip-off have been utilized by the AAP to fund its marketing campaign for the Gujarat Meeting polls in 2022, through which it obtained 12.91% of the votes and established itself as a nationwide get together.