AAP Goa President, Amit Palekar, with ex-BJP leader Dattaprasad Naik, AAP leader Ramrao Wagh, and President of the Bhandari Samaj, Ashok Naik received summons from the ED requiring them to appear for questioning on March 28th in connection with alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reportedly linked to the Excise scam.
Upon arrival at the ED office in Panaji, they were subjected to three hours of intensive investigation before being given a lunch break. Amit Palekar, addressing the media during the break, confirmed that he had been asked to provide certain data, which he intended to furnish upon retrieval.
While maintaining confidentiality regarding the specifics of the investigation, Palekar stated, "I have joined the investigation. Whatever they are asking me, I am answering their questions. They are doing their job, and I will do mine as a responsible citizen."
Outside the ED office, several AAP leaders, including MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, were present to express solidarity. Viegas voiced concerns over possible attempts to coerce statements from the ones summoned to implicate Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Viegas expressed concerns about a fear-inducing atmosphere emerging among AAP leaders, citing rumours circulating on social media about impending arrests on Good Friday.
Viegas condemned what he perceived as the misuse of the Enforcement Directorate for political purposes, asserting, " ED is being misused, but we will fight, we are a new brand of politicians & hope of Goa; when things change, same 'PMLA' will come haunting them,”
He alleged that the entire episode was a ploy to divert attention from the electoral bond issue.
