Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered a fresh notice to be issued to Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging his acquittal in cases related to alleged non-compliance with summons in the excise policy money laundering matter.
During the hearing, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the earlier notice issued on April 1 had not been served, prompting the court to direct reissuance. The matter has now been scheduled for further hearing on July 22.
The ED’s appeal follows Kejriwal’s acquittal by the Rouse Avenue Court, where Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal ruled that the evidence presented did not justify prosecution for alleged non-compliance with summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency had claimed that despite receiving multiple summons, Kejriwal failed to appear before it, arguing that such non-compliance by a senior public figure could set an adverse precedent.
In a separate development, Kejriwal recently informed the court that he would not participate in proceedings—either personally or through legal representation—in matters related to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. In his communication to Justice Sharma, he stated that he had lost confidence in receiving justice and would instead follow the path of “Satyagraha,” invoking the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Similarly, Manish Sisodia also conveyed his decision to abstain from further proceedings, stating that it was a matter of personal conviction rather than any disrespect toward the judiciary.
The developments come shortly after Justice Sharma declined Kejriwal’s request for her recusal from hearing a related case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The petition challenges an earlier order that discharged multiple accused, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, in a corruption case linked to the now-withdrawn excise policy.
In her ruling on April 20, Justice Sharma emphasized the importance of maintaining judicial integrity, stating that allowing such recusal requests without merit could undermine the credibility of the legal process. She remarked that court proceedings must not be influenced by perceptions or tactics that could compromise justice.