Excise policy case: Delhi court takes cognizance of ED's supplementary charge sheet against CM Kejriwal

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court issued production warrants for Kejriwal and ordered him to appear before the Court on July 12.
CBI officials leave with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from the Rouse Avenue Court.
CBI officials leave with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from the Rouse Avenue Court.FILE Photo | PTI
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NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday took cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet, making Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused in the excise policy case.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court issued production warrants for Kejriwal and ordered him to appear before the Court on July 12. The ED filed the eighth chargesheet in the case on May 17, naming AAP and Kejriwal as the accused.

In the excise policy case, the central probe agency has likened AAP to a “company” and Kejriwal its “director”. As per the observation made by the Court last month, a political party means “an association” or “a body of individuals” and falls under the ambit of PMLA.

The ED arrested Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the AAP, from his official residence on March 21. The 55-year-old CM was earlier called the “kingpin and key conspirator” of the excise “scam” by the ED. It is alleged he acted in collusion with Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders, and others. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

‘Huge conspiracy’

AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta alleged that the BJP-led Centre is hatching a “huge conspiracy” against AAP. Gupta also accused the BJP of wanting to finish off AAP, which governs Punjab and Delhi, at any cost. The AAP leader claimed the ED failed to recover any “corruption money” in the case.

Sunita’s reply sought

The Delhi High Court asked Sunita Kejriwal to file her response to a petition against her for allegedly sharing a recording of the trial court proceedings.

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Petition challenging TATA, Air India merger rejected

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Promote helpline 1098 to deal with child begging: HC

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