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Synopsis

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved a Delhi court against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for failing to comply with the agency's summons related to the Delhi excise policy case.

The complaint, invoking Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, focuses on Kejriwal's non-attendance before the ED.

The complaint was filed before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra of Rouse Avenue Court.

"Fresh complaint case for non-attendance in compliance of Section 50, PMLA, 2002, received by way of assignment," the judge noted.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appeared for the ED.

The court has scheduled further consideration of the matter for February 7, 2024.

Despite receiving five summons on different dates, Kejriwal has chosen not to appear, while other AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in custody in the same case.

The ED's investigation into money laundering allegations originates from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021–22.

The CBI case, initiated on a complaint by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, led to the ED registering a money laundering case against the accused persons. The allegations include a criminal conspiracy by AAP leaders, intentional loopholes in the policy, and kickbacks through hawala channels to achieve monopoly and cartelization among liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.