NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) remains uncertain about whether Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday to provide his statement regarding an alleged money laundering case related to the excise policy. The party sources have stated that they are currently assessing their legal options and will act in accordance with the law. Notably, Kejriwal had previously missed the ED’s summons on two occasions, on November 2 and December 21.
The ED’s decision to question AAP’s leadership in connection with the excise policy case was prompted by a query from the Supreme Court. The court questioned why the agency had not investigated the AAP leadership’s involvement in the case after asserting that the bribes were utilized for the party’s campaign in Goa. As a result, the ED expressed its intention to question Kejriwal, leading to his summons.
The Supreme Court has tentatively accepted the ED’s claim that a portion of the alleged Rs 338 crore bribes from the Delhi liquor scandal was used for the AAP’s campaign during the Goa elections. This indirectly stems from a statement made by Kejriwal’s close aide and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, asserting that Kejriwal was not the ultimate beneficiary of the proceeds of crime. The Supreme Court subsequently requested the ED to provide information about the AAP leadership’s involvement in the suspected scam.
In response to the ED’s initial summons, Kejriwal raised concerns over whether he was being called as an accused or as a witness in the money laundering case. If Kejriwal does decide to present himself for questioning, his statement will be considered an affidavit before the court as per Section 50(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This requires the summoned individual to be examined under oath, produce requested records, and provide evidence through affidavits.
While these developments unfold, the ED recently conducted searches at the premises of Amanatullah Khan, an AAP legislator from Okhla, in connection with an alleged Waqf Board recruitment scam. This marks the second time the agency has searched Khan’s premises.
In conclusion, the Aam Aadmi Party is currently reviewing its legal options regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s appearance before the Enforcement Directorate. The Supreme Court’s intervention and the ED’s intention to question AAP’s leadership have raised significant questions about their involvement in the alleged money laundering case connected to the excise policy. Meanwhile, the ED’s searches at the premises of AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan in relation to a separate alleged scam have added to the ongoing concerns surrounding the party.
