The repeated summoning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi Excise policy ‘scam’ has sparked controversy and political turmoil in the capital. Kejriwal, 55, has been summoned for the eighth time to appear before the probe agency on March 4, as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy.
This latest summons follows Kejriwal’s decision to skip the seventh summons on Monday, citing concerns about the agency’s intentions and alleging political pressure. He asserted that he would only appear before the ED if ordered to do so by a court, accusing the agency of attempting to coerce him into leaving the INDIA alliance.
The ED’s persistent pursuit of Kejriwal has drawn criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with party leaders condemning the repeated summonses as politically motivated. Dilip Pandey, an AAP leader, accused the BJP of orchestrating the summons to force Kejriwal out of the INDIA alliance or to incarcerate him, reaffirming the party’s commitment to the alliance despite the pressure.
Despite objections from the AAP, the ED has pressed ahead with issuing the eighth summons, rejecting the argument that it was inappropriate given the pending legal proceedings. The matter is currently sub-judice, with a Delhi court directing Kejriwal to appear on March 16 in response to a fresh complaint filed by the ED for non-compliance with previous summonses.
Kejriwal’s repeated absences have only escalated tensions between the AAP and the ED. He had previously skipped five summonses issued by the ED, denouncing them as illegal and politically motivated. The ED alleges that Kejriwal and other accused parties were involved in irregularities related to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, using the “proceeds of crime” for the AAP’s Goa election campaign.
The Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 has been under scrutiny for alleged favoritism and corruption, with accusations that certain liquor traders were granted licenses through bribery and cartelization. However, the AAP has vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that the excise policy was fair and transparent.
Several AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair, have faced arrests in connection with the case, further exacerbating the political tensions surrounding Kejriwal’s summons. The ongoing investigation has underscored the deepening rift between the AAP and the central government, with both sides locked in a bitter dispute over the legitimacy and motives behind the excise policy scam probe.
As the legal battle intensifies and the political stakes rise, the spotlight remains firmly on Kejriwal and the AAP, who continue to face mounting pressure from the ED and their political opponents. The outcome of this high-profile case is likely to have far-reaching implications for Delhi’s political landscape and the future of the AAP-led government.