New Delhi: AAP leader and Delhi Finance Minister Atishi lashed out at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for repeatedly complaining to the court regarding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's alleged evasion of summonses in connection with the Delhi excise police scam. Atishi said, if "you have gone to court yourself then wait for its order."
Speaking to reporters, Atishi said, "The ED seems to believe that it cannot wait for the court order and it is above the court", reported PTI. Her remarks came after a city court issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister on a new complaint filed by the ED regarding his alleged evasion of summonses.
CM Kejriwal Previously Disregarded Eight Summonses From The ED
The court said there were ample grounds to proceed against Kejriwal. The Delhi CM has previously disregarded eight summonses from the ED, labeling them as illegal, particularly in the context of the money laundering case associated with the alleged excise scam.
The court has summoned Kejriwal to appear before it on March 16. Last month, CM Kejriwal's counsel informed the court that the Delhi Chief Minister would personally attend the hearing on that date. This decision comes after the ED lodged a complaint, alleging that Kejriwal intentionally avoided complying with the agency's summonses, offering flimsy excuses.
The recent complaint relates to Kejriwal's failure to respond to the last five summonses sent by the federal probe agency under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as per PTI.
Atishi said that the ED, had failed to address the questions raised by CM Kejriwal regarding the summonses issued to him, prompting them to approach the court. She asked the ED to respect the court's authority and await its decision.
The court, in its observation on Thursday, emphasised that individuals summoned under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are obligated to comply, with provisions for prosecution against those who do not.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh are currently in jail in connection with the case. AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, have consistently alleged that the BJP-led central government is attempting to undermine the party by incarcerating its members and destabilising the Delhi government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.