Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain called a notice issued to him by the Income Tax department about hawala (illegal) transfers an "assessment" and said that he was summoned only as a witness in a case. Jain has been called to the I-T department on October 4, ANI reported.

According to the news agency report, department officials said four companies linked to the Aam Aadmi Party leader have illegally transferred Rs 17 crore. Officials said he allegedly used the amount to buy real estate near unauthorised colonies. The department is currently investigating Indo Metal Impax, Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, Paryas Info Solution and Manglyatan Projects.

Jain said, "I have been called as a witness. This is nothing sensational like the way you have been showing it on the television. You will show anything….Some assessment of companies is taking place." He added that he had invested in the companies "four or five" years earlier and that the I-T department had summoned him regarding that.

An official told The Times of India, "The summons are issued as part of inquiry into the case which the I-T department has been probing for sometime now. Jain will be confronted with documents seized during searches at Kolkata."

The minister, however, denied any knowledge about the alleged illegal transactions and said the department clarified that it is not an investigation.

Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal also claimed that Jain was being framed. However, he said that the minister would be removed from his post if found guilty. Several AAP leaders have recently been embroiled in cases, including corruption and sexual harassment.