Arvind Kejriwal (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued notice to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate challenging his acquittal in cases related to alleged non-compliance with summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the excise policy matter. The case was heard by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who noted that no one appeared on behalf of Kejriwal despite advance notice. Advocate Zoheb Hossain represented the ED. The high court has sought trial court records and listed the matter for further hearing on April 29. The ED has challenged Kejriwal’s acquittal in two cases, alleging that he deliberately failed to comply with multiple summons issued during the investigation into the excise policy case.
According to the agency, he had “intentionally omitted to obey” the summons and did not join the probe. However, on January 22, 2026, a trial court cleared Kejriwal of these charges, stating that the ED failed to prove deliberate non-compliance. The matter traces back to a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in Delhi’s 2022 excise policy. The issue was initially flagged by the Lieutenant Governor, following which the Central Bureau of Investigation registered an FIR citing procedural lapses and alleged undue benefits to certain licence holders.
Investigators have alleged that licence fees were reduced or waived, extensions were granted without proper approval, and unlawful gains were routed through falsified accounting entries. Subsequently, the ED launched its own probe, naming several individuals including Kejriwal. He was arrested during the investigation and later granted bail by the Supreme Court of India after spending months in custody. Earlier, on February 27, the trial court discharged Kejriwal, former Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the related CBI case, observing that the prosecution’s case did not hold up under judicial scrutiny.
