The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in the Delhi liquor policy case. This marks the fourth time he has been called by the probe agency for interrogation. Kejriwal has been asked to appear before the ED on January 18. The ED’s summons come after the Delhi Chief Minister missed the previous questioning on January 3, alleging that the summonses were illegal and the ED’s sole aim was to arrest him. Prior to this, Kejriwal had also skipped two earlier summonses on November 2 and December 21.
The ED’s latest move to issue fresh summons to Kejriwal comes in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22. According to sources, the Delhi Chief Minister’s repeated disregard of the summons has been impeding the agency’s probe into the case. Kejriwal had responded to the ED’s third summons, which he termed as “illegal,” by expressing his willingness to cooperate but alleging that the agency’s intention was to arrest him and prevent him from election campaigning.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing legal and political showdown involving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief. Kejriwal had previously been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the case in April, but had not been made an accused by the agency.
The constant summons and legal tussle with the investigative agencies are likely to fuel political debates and speculation as Delhi gears up for key elections. These events could also have an impact on the image and perception of the AAP and its leader, especially as the party strives to secure its position in the upcoming polls. The continued developments surrounding the ED’s summonses may also raise questions about the intersection of legal proceedings, government functioning, and electoral dynamics.
As the story unfolds, it brings into focus the persistent clashes between political leaders and investigative agencies, shedding light on the complexities and controversies within the country’s legal and political landscape. The outcome of this ongoing saga is poised to have reverberations in the domain of governance, law, and public opinion.
