The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced two major setbacks on Monday. While the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to the party's second biggest leader Manish Sisodia in the liquor scam, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate. AAP's national coordinator has been asked by the Central Investigation Agency to appear before it on November 2. The CBI has already interrogated Arvind Kejriwal in this case, but he will have to face the ED's questions for the first time.
Kejriwal has been called at a time when ED has told the court that it is considering making Aam Aadmi Party an accused as a beneficiary of the liquor scam. ED had said this in response to a question asked by the Supreme Court. ED has sent summons to Kejriwal for the first time, but before this in February, ED had already interrogated his PA Bibhav Kumar and close leader Jasmine Shah. During the same time, Manish Sisodia was also arrested.
Sources said, Mr Kejriwal has been issued the summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation agency will record the statement of the Delhi Chief Minister once he deposes before the investigating officer of the case in Delhi.
Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva said, Mr Kejriwal and his entire team who calls themselves honest have been exposed. He alleged that Arvind Kejriwal is the mastermind and kingpin of the scam. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said, BJP wants to arrest Mr Kejriwal in a false case. She said, AAP leaders will not bow down to any pressure.
ED has not officially said on what basis the Delhi Chief Minister has been called and what questions will be asked to him. But his name has been taken directly and indirectly several times in the chargesheet filed by the investigating agencies. In a charge sheet, ED has claimed that the controversial excise policy, which has been abolished, was the 'brainchild' of Kejriwal. The Chief Minister's name has been used in court documents, chargesheet and remand papers. He has been mentioned in connection with alleged meetings, fixing commissions for private companies, bringing leaders and businessmen from the South into the Delhi liquor business.
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