“Now, ED has to answer whether summons are legal or illegal”: AAP’s Atishi

New Delhi [India], March 20 (ANI): After the Delhi High Court sought a response from ED on a plea moved by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal against summons in the excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Wednesday said that the investigative agency has to answer in court whether these summons are legal or illegal and the court will decide on it.

“The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is sending summons to CM Arvind Kejriwal over and over again. To challenge these summons and whether they are legal or illegal, he (Arvind Kejriwal) has moved to the Delhi High Court. ED has opposed this petition and told HC to dismiss it, however, the court has decided to hear the matter and has also sent notice to ED. Now the agency has to answer in court. Whether these summons are legal or illegal, that court will decide. The matter is under consideration in Delhi Rouse Avenue Court and High Court,” she said.

Earlier today, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sandeep Pathak said that whatever decision the court delivers, they will accept it.

“We have been saying this since the beginning that the entire case is political. As it’s a fake and political case, hence the ED summons are also false on technical and intentional grounds. We have taken it to the court; we have immense faith in the court and whatever decision it delivers, we will accept it. We have to be patient and if we are true, then the judgement will be good too,” Pathak told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a plea moved by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against several summons issued to him by ED in Excise policy case.

The bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain after hearing the initial submissions of both sides, listed the matter for April 22, 2024. No formal notice was issued as ED opposed the issuance of formal notice as lawyers of ED appeared before the court on advance notice.

Last week, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal on two complaints filed by ED for non-compliance with summons issued by the agency.

During the hearing, Kejriwal had appeared physically before the court.

According to the ED, the agency wants to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery.