Introduction Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the fourth time in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The AAP leader is required to appear before the probe agency on January 18, following his refusal to attend questioning on January 3, citing the illegality of the summons and the alleged intention of arrest.
Previous Summons and Protests This marks the fourth instance of Kejriwal being summoned by the ED, as he had previously skipped appearances on November 2 and December 21. The Delhi CM, also the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, had been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in April but had not been named as an accused.
Speculations on Arrest Since the issuance of the first summons, speculations have been rife about the possibility of Kejriwal’s arrest after questioning. The AAP, having already seen three of its leaders – Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain – behind bars, has reportedly discussed potential courses of action. There is a desire within the party for Kejriwal to continue as Chief Minister even if detained.
Central Allegations and Investigation Background The CBI alleges that liquor companies played a role in formulating the excise policy, aiming for a 12% profit. A liquor lobby termed the “South Group” is accused of providing kickbacks, some of which allegedly reached public servants. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating money laundering related to these kickbacks.
BJP’s Accusations and Election Funding The BJP has accused AAP of using the proceeds from the alleged liquor policy scam to finance a large-scale campaign in Gujarat, where it secured 12.91% of the votes, solidifying its status as a national party. These allegations have added a political dimension to the ongoing investigation.
In the face of these developments, the political landscape in Delhi is poised for further turbulence, as Arvind Kejriwal braces for another round of questioning, maintaining his stance against what he deems as unjust summons by the Enforcement Directorate.
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