NEW DELHI, Apr 29: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a fresh notice to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on pleas filed by the Enforcement Directorate challenging his acquittal in two cases related to non-appearance before the agency in the excise policy probe.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the earlier notice issued to the former chief minister had not been served, prompting the court to order a fresh notice. The matter has been listed for hearing on July 22.
The ED’s counsel informed the court that notice had been issued to Kejriwal on April 1, but no one appeared on his behalf. Taking note, the court said the respondent had not been served and directed the registry to issue a fresh notice.
The cases arise from complaints filed by the ED before a trial court, alleging that Kejriwal deliberately ignored multiple summonses issued during the investigation into the now-scrapped excise policy. The agency also accused him of raising frivolous objections to avoid joining the probe.
Earlier, the ED argued in the high court that the trial court committed a “grave error” in acquitting Kejriwal despite no dispute over the issuance and receipt of summonses.
In its January 22 order, the trial court held that the ED failed to establish intentional disobedience, noting that the service of summons through email was not legally proven under Section 50(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED has alleged that other accused were in contact with Kejriwal in formulating the excise policy, leading to undue benefits and alleged kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party.
Kejriwal is currently on interim bail in the money laundering case, with the Supreme Court of India referring questions related to the “need and necessity of arrest” under the PMLA to a larger bench.
On February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the case, stating that the CBI’s case could not withstand judicial scrutiny. The Central Bureau of Investigation plea against the discharge remains pending before the high court. (Agencies)
