ED issues 8th summons to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP calls it ‘desperate’

According to the agency, Kejriwal was contacted by the accused about the creation of the now-cancelled Delhi Excise Policy 2021–2022.

Digital Desk: The Enforcement Directorate has issued its 8th summon in a row to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy ‘scam’. ED asked Kejriwal to appear before it on March 4.

On the summon issued by ED to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Dilip Pandey says, "Everybody is now aware as to why ED is so desperate now. The matter is already pending in court (March 16)...Why can't the ED wait for the court's decision?... They (BJP) want us to either leave the INDIA alliance or see him (Arvind Kejriwal) in jail...We will not leave the INDIA alliance no matter what…"

However, the Enforcement Directorate denied the argument that Kejriwal should not have received a fresh notice for his attendance because the case was still pending when it issued the eighth summons, reported by PTI.

The chargesheets issued by ED contain several references to Kejriwal. According to the agency, he was contacted by the accused about the creation of the now-cancelled Delhi Excise Policy 2021–2022. In its chargesheet, the ED had stated that the AAP had spent approximately ₹45 crore on "proceeds of crime" during the Goa election campaign.

As of now, the ED has detained AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh as well as the party's communications coordinator, Vijay Nair, in connection with this case.