The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 16, for questioning in the case related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped liquor policy introduced by his government.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which Kejriwal heads, said in a statement that he would be appearing before the central probing agency.
"The Centre wants to put AAP under pressure after it has become a national party. Under this, Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by CBI. He will appear for questioning on April 16," the party said.
The summon has been issued to the chief minister nearly two months after his deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection to the alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The AAP government in the national capital was accused of introducing the policy to grant licences to liquor traders favoured by certain dealers, who had allegedly paid bribes for it. The ruling AAP has strongly denied the charge.
Along with Sisodia, others arrested in the case include businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally.
While the CBI was yet to formally name Kejriwal in the chargesheet, the Centre-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has described the AAP chief as one the "kingpins" in the alleged scam.
"What is the relation between Arvind Kejriwal and Vijay Nair? Was Nair present when the excise policy was designed? The main accused may be Sisodia but the kingpin is Kejriwal," said senior BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Thakur last month.
The contentious excise policy was implemented from November 17, 2021 and discontinued on August 31, 2022. The withdrawal came shortly after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena red-flagged the alleged irregularities, and recommended a CBI probe.
Meanwhile, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP-led Central government of playing vendetta against Kejriwal and his party members.
"Kejriwal has received notice and he will certainly go for questioning on April 16. Government's intimidation can't stop AAP to raise the corruption related issues of this government," said Singh.
Singh alleged that the notice for questioning has come days after Kejriwal in the Delhi Assembly accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shielding the crisis-ridden Adani Group, which is under scanner for stock manipulation and debt-related allegations.
"PM and his government are completely involved in corruption. This government wants to arrest him (Kejriwal), because he knows the reality and tried to aware people as well," said Singh.
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