ED summons to Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot in excise policy case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Delhi Transport Minister and AAP leader Kailash Gahlot in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Sources indicate that the probe agency issued the summons to Gahlot for questioning in their ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the Delhi excise policy.

This development follows the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the same case.

On another front, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai announced on Friday that several prominent leaders from the INDIA alliance will join a rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following his recent arrest. Rai stated, “Reactions from across the country poured in after the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Key leaders of the INDIA alliance will participate in the rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31.”

Notable leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Champai Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, and others have confirmed their participation in the rally, as per Rai’s statement.

In a separate development, the Hindu Sena filed a fresh petition in the Delhi High Court on Friday, seeking the removal of Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister. The petition demands that the court instruct Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor to dismiss Chief Minister Kejriwal from office and administer Delhi through the Central Government via LG.

On the legal front, a day after the custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was extended till April 1 by the local court, his wife Sunita Kejriwal initiated a WhatsApp campaign titled ‘Kejriwal ko Aashirwaad’ through a video statement.

Moreover, in court proceedings, Arvind Kejriwal asserted, “The real liquor scam began after the ED investigation. The ED’s motive is to crush the Aam Aadmi Party.” He also stated that despite the case continuing for two years, no allegations have been substantiated.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has planned a protest outside the BJP headquarters in the national capital on the following day against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The demonstration will see participation from Congress, AAP, and Left parties.