ED probe into excise case attempt to stop AAP's growth, popularity: Atishi

Delhi minister Atishi on Thursday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into Delhi's now-scrapped excise policy was an attempt to stop the Aam Aadmi Party's growth and popularity.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday skipped the second summons issued by the ED, alleging that they were issued at the behest of political rivals who wish to silence the voice of the Opposition.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Atishi alleged, "The ED has been investigating this case for the last two years. In the history of India, no other policy has been investigated as much as this policy by a central agency." Atishi claimed the ED could find no evidence of wrongdoing despite raiding several locations linked to AAP leaders.

After two years of investigation, not even a penny of ill-gotten money could be found by the CBI or the ED, she claimed. "They raided Manish Sisodia's (former deputy CM) residence, offices and other places, but couldn't find anything, yet they arrested him. They are targeting Arvind Kejriwal now," she alleged.

"They (Centre) are doing this in a bid to stop the growth and popularity of the AAP," she added.

Kejriwal was summoned by the ED for questioning in an excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday. The chief minister left for an undisclosed location for a 10-day vipassana meditation course on Wednesday.

The Delhi CM sent his reply to the ED on Wednesday in which he said the summons did not specify whether he was being called as "a witness or a suspect" or as the "chief minister, Delhi or the Aam Aadmi Party's national convener".

He said the fresh summons — issued on 18 December — should be revoked, withdrawn, and recalled.