Amidst hustle and bustle of Lok Sabha Elactions-2024, Arvind Kejriwal gets big relief in Delhi excise policy scam

New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been granted bail by Delhi's Rouse Avenue court after he allegedly skipped summons from ED regarding the purported Delhi excise policy scam. The court required him to provide a personal bond of Rs 15,000 along with a security bond of Rs 1 lakh for his release.

Kejriwal is accused of violating Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to disobeying lawful orders to appear at a designated location, either in person or through a representative. This violation occurred when he repeatedly ignored summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

The AAP chief was summoned by the court following the Enforcement Directorate's claims that Kejriwal had disregarded eight summonses issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, as part of their investigation into the Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal will not be required to appear in person in April 1 hearing

For the upcoming court hearing scheduled for April 1, Arvind Kejriwal will not be required to appear in person.

In response to skipping the Enforcement Directorate's summons, Kejriwal accused the Narendra Modi government of employing central agencies to target opposition leaders.

The latest summons from the Enforcement Directorate arrived in late February, demanding Kejriwal's presence for questioning on March 4. However, Kejriwal dismissed these summons as "unlawful" and stated his willingness to appear only through video-conferencing. The investigative agency, however, insisted on his physical presence, asserting that virtual questioning was not permitted.

Other prominent AAP leaders, such as former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have already been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case related to Delhi's now-defunct excise policy.

Arvind Kejriwal's name has appeared multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the Enforcement Directorate, which alleges that individuals involved in the case were in communication with the Chief Minister during the drafting of the excise policy.