Enforcement Directorate Heads To Court As Kejriwal Skips Summons Five Times

The Enforcement Directorate approached a Delhi Court regarding non-compliance with the summons issued to Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Saturday.

The summons pertains to the money laundering case associated with the Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22.

Photo Credit: PTI

ED Approaches Court in Kejriwal Case

Some submissions were heard by the Rouse Avenue court on Saturday, and the matter was scheduled for consideration of the remaining submissions on February 7. Kejriwal now finds himself in double trouble as both the Delhi crime branch and the ED have intensified scrutiny in two separate cases.

The ED has been summoning Kejriwal in connection with the liquor interrogation since last year. So far, five of the agency's summons have been skipped by Kejriwal, whom he deemed illegal. Refusal to comply with the summons occurred on November 2, December 21, January 3, January 19, and February 2.

Crime branch 'drama' at Kejriwal's place

On both Friday and Saturday, notices were personally served to Kejriwal's house by Delhi crime branch officials regarding his allegations that the BJP was in touch with seven AAP MLAs to poach them. The house was visited by officers on Saturday morning, as the Delhi CM was not present on Friday.

A drama unfolded on Saturday morning as AAP leaders present there questioned the crime branch officials about their insistence on delivering the notice only to the CM. Eventually, the notice was given to officials, instructing Kejriwal to reply within three days, revealing the names of the MLAs who have been approached by the BJP.

I sympathise with crime branch officers: Kejriwal

After the drama on Saturday, a statement was made by Kejriwal on X, expressing sympathy for crime branch officers. "What is their fault? Their job is to stop crime, but instead, they are instructed to stage drama, leading to an increase in crime in Delhi," Kejriwal wrote.

"Their political masters are urging me to disclose the names of the MLAs who have been approached for poaching. However, they are well aware. Don't they possess all the information? Not only in Delhi, you are aware of how many MLAs have been influenced across the country to topple governments. Then why engage in this drama?" Kejriwal added.