After Kejriwal continued to avoid interrogation from November 2 of the previous year, when he was initially called to depose before the investigation agency but did not do so, the ED issued its most recent summons to him, requesting him to appear before it on February 26. The ED said that the notice was "vague, motivated, and unsustainable in law."
It was on December 18 that the second summons was issued, on January 3 that the third one was issued, on January 18 that the fourth one was issued, on February 2 that the fifth summons was issued, and on February 19 that the sixth summons was issued. Nevertheless, the Chief Minister of Delhi ignored all of the summonses, referring to them as "illegal," and wrote a letter to the ED requesting that they be withdrawn.
During this time, the investigation agency also lodged a complaint against Kejriwal, accusing him of "disobeying" its summons in relation to this matter.
Excise policy case involving Delhi
An excise policy was developed by the government of Delhi in 2021-22 with the intention of revitalising the city's declining liquor business. This was accomplished by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders. Additionally, the government promised to create more upscale stores that were free of the notorious metal grilles, which would ultimately provide customers with a more satisfying shopping experience. After Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) saying that the policy contained irregularities, the policy was ultimately abolished.
ED has said that the AAP, which is led by Kejriwal, was involved in receiving payments amounting to ₹100 crore in order to finalize the excise policy. In addition to this, it was reported that a significant portion of this money was utilized by the party in the course of its election campaign in Goa.
Manish Sisodia, a former deputy chief minister, and Sanjay Singh, a member of the Rajya Sabha, are two of the senior AAP leaders who have been arrested by the Enforcement Department (ED) thus far.
BRS leader K Kavitha
BRS leader K Kavitha also cited personal engagements and parliamentary elections to avoid CBI sleuths.CBI investigators summoned her to headquarters on Monday. The BRS MLC has asked the CBI to drop the latest summons for her appearance.
“I may request you to firstly revoke or withdraw the subject notice as it appears to be sent by invoking Section 41A CrPC while not being aware or conscious of the earlier notice sent under Section 160 CrPC,” she added.
While Section 41A of CrPC issues a notice to a person with a “reasonable suspicion” of committing a cognizable offence, Section 160 summons a witness by police or investigative agency.
Kavita said she has answered Section 160 CrPC summons on December 2, 2022. She said that summons in the other CrPC Section have no “reason” or “background”. “There is absolutely no logic, reason or background as to how, why and under what circumstances you have now resorted to Section 41A CrPC,” she said.