Politics

Enforcement Directorate Sends 8th Summons to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

In connection with the money laundering investigation involving the excise policy, the Enforcement Directorate has sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal his eighth summons. The AAP leader had ignored the seven prior summonses. According to reports, the agency has requested that Arvind Kejriwal appear before it on March 4. Kejriwal disregarded the seventh summons on Monday, stating that he would only appear before the Enforcement Directorate at the court’s request.

Kejriwal has been the target of a court case in Delhi brought by the Enforcement Directorate since he has ignored multiple summonses in the last few months. In response to the seventh summons, the Aam Aadmi Party stated that it was being pressured by the BJP-led central government to leave the Congress-led India alliance. The next hearing on the case is set for March 16 in the judicial system. Rather than delivering these summonses daily, ED needs to await the court’s directive. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is something we will not abandon, and the federal government ought not to exert such undue pressure on us, the statement read.

Kejriwal ignored the agency on November 2 and December 22 of last year, as well as on January 3, January 18, February 2, and February 19. He claims the summons is unlawful and politically motivated. Arvind Kejriwal was excused from personally appearing in connection with the Enforcement Directorate’s case by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court last week, with an extension until March 16. He had previously stated that the Delhi Assembly’s budget session prevented him from being present in person. He made a virtual appearance before the court.

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According to Kejriwal, the BJP intended to sever ties with Goa, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana before the Lok Sabha elections. AAP minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has previously stated that the ED ought to await the court’s decision. “The CM did not approach the court; the ED did,” AAP leader Atishi had stated. Why don’t they wait for the ruling from the court? Their motivation is to bother us rather than debate legality or illegality. If ED was concerned about legality, it would watch for the legal system to work out.”