Kejriwal won’t go to ED today: AAP

NEW DELHI: Sources within the Aam Aadmi Party informed The New Indian on Monday that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not comply with the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons regarding the Delhi Liquor Scam investigation. The ED had issued its seventh summons, requesting Kejriwal’s presence for the probe today.

According to the AAP sources, the matter is sub judice, and hence, the ED’s summons were unnecessary. They emphasized that the next hearing is scheduled for March 16, following which their course of action will be determined.

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“We urge the ED to respect the legal process instead of repeatedly summoning. We stand firm with the India Alliance and reject any attempts to pressure us,” AAP stated.

Kejriwal has previously disregarded six consecutive summons, leading the ED to seek court intervention. The court, on February 17, directed Kejriwal to participate in the probe despite his objections to the summons’ legality.

In response, AAP announced they are evaluating the court’s order and will take appropriate legal measures. They intend to contest the legality of the ED’s summons. The ED has lodged a complaint against Kejriwal under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, following his non-compliance with their summons.

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While Kejriwal cooperated with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi Excise Policy matter, he has refused to join the ED’s probe, alleging political vendetta orchestrated by the BJP.

Kejriwal has repeatedly asserted the illegitimacy of the ED’s summons, questioning the motive behind them. “They must clarify the reason for summoning me, whether it’s as Delhi CM or AAP convenor,” Kejriwal stated. As of now, the ED has filed five charge sheets in the case, comprising one main charge sheet and four supplementary charge sheets.