Delhi Excise Policy Case: HC Asks ED To Respond To Kejriwal's Plea Challenging Trial Court Order

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) response to a plea by AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal's plea challenges a sessions court order upholding summons issued to him in a money laundering case linked to the alleged 'excise policy scam' in the capital. Justice Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the ED, directing the agency to submit its counter-affidavit within six weeks.

ED Raises Objection to Petition's 'Maintainability'

During the hearing, an ED counsel raised a preliminary objection concerning the petition's 'maintainability'. The counsel contended that Kejriwal's submission was 'in the form of second revision petition filed under the garb of a Section 482 (inherent power of high court) CrPC petition, which was not permissible'.

The High Court directed the ED counsel to include all his objections, including preliminary ones, in the agency's reply. The court has listed the matter for a hearing on September 10.

Kejriwal Challenges Summons in Money Laundering Probe

Arvind Kejriwal has challenged a special court order, dated September 17, 2024, which dismissed his revision petition. That petition was against a March 7, 2024, order where a magisterial court first summoned him in the case.

Plea Against Case Transfer Refusal

Kejriwal also challenged a sessions court order from December 20, 2024. This order upheld a magisterial court's October 24 decision refusing to transfer his case to another court. The High Court also issued notice on this second petition, asking the ED to file its response within six weeks. Both matters are listed for September 10.