The Delhi High Court has instructed the issuance of a new notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in response to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging his acquittal in cases related to alleged non-compliance with summons in a money laundering matter. The court noted that the previous notice issued on April 1 had not been served and scheduled further hearing for July 22.
The ED’s appeal follows Kejriwal’s acquittal by the Rouse Avenue Court in complaint cases where he was accused of intentionally ignoring multiple summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal had previously acquitted Kejriwal, citing insufficient evidence for prosecution.
Despite receiving five summons on different occasions, Kejriwal allegedly did not appear before the agency, leading to the initiation of prosecution proceedings. Kejriwal, in a letter to Justice Sharma, expressed his decision to not participate in court proceedings related to the excise policy, citing lack of faith in receiving justice and opting for a path of “Satyagraha.”
Manish Sisodia, in a similar communication to the judge, also declared his abstention from further involvement in the matter, emphasizing the decision was based on conscience rather than animosity towards the judiciary. The developments come after Justice Sharma rejected Kejriwal’s request for her recusal from hearing a CBI petition challenging the discharge of 23 accused, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, in a corruption case linked to the defunct excise policy.
