Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, will not comply with the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s summons today regarding the alleged liquor scam, as confirmed by the Aam Aadmi Party. The party asserts that the summons issued by the ED is unlawful. Instead of persistently summoning Chief Minister Kejriwal, the ED should await the court’s ruling on the matter. To date, the ED has issued six summonses to Arvind Kejriwal, with the latest being issued on February 14, instructing him to appear before the agency on February 19. The ED has accused Kejriwal of disregarding summons in connection with a money laundering case related to the excise policy. The issue of Kejriwal’s non-compliance with the ED’s summons is also under consideration in court.
The timeline of the six summonses issued to Kejriwal by the ED within a span of three months is as follows:
- November 2, 2023
- December 21, 2023
- January 3, 2024
- January 18, 2024
- February 2, 2024
- February 19, 2024
Kejriwal’s response to the ED’s summonses is that they are illegitimate. He asserts that he will comply with a legal and valid summons. Kejriwal alleges that Prime Minister Modi’s intention is to arrest him before the Lok Sabha elections, aiming to destabilize the Delhi government. He vows to prevent such an outcome, labeling the summonses as politically motivated. Kejriwal demands clarity from the ED on the reasons for its interrogation.
The ED implicates Kejriwal in the liquor policy matter, citing his involvement. Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had interrogated Kejriwal on April 16, 2023, during which he was questioned for 56 hours. Allegations against Kejriwal stem from statements made by certain accused individuals and witnesses, as noted in the agencies’ remand notes and charge sheets.
Key figures in the liquor policy matter, such as Vijay Nair and Raghav Magunta, have indicated interactions with Kejriwal. Vijay Nair, with significant access to the Chief Minister’s office, facilitated meetings between Kejriwal and individuals involved in the liquor trade. Raghav Magunta, formerly accused in the South Liquor Lobby and now a witness, recounted his father’s meeting with Kejriwal regarding Delhi’s liquor policy, which was reportedly met with Kejriwal’s approval.
Further details emerge from statements, such as one from Manish Sisodia’s former secretary C Arvind, suggesting discussions about privatizing wholesale liquor business. The CBI’s interrogation included inquiries about the formulation of the excise policy, Kejriwal’s association with Vijay Nair, and allegations of collecting funds from liquor traders for election expenses in Punjab-Goa elections.
The ED’s scrutiny prompts questions regarding Kejriwal’s knowledge of policy changes and his interactions with liquor traders and businessmen, including Sameer Mahendru.
