Kejriwal receives fresh summons from ED, AAP calls it "backup plan"

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been issued two new summonses by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), one related to the Delhi liquor policy case and the other concerning a case involving the Delhi Jal Board, revealed his cabinet colleague Atishi.

The summons arrive amidst the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, adding to the political tensions surrounding the AAP leader. Atishi voiced concerns, suggesting that these summonses could be a ploy to hinder Kejriwal's election campaign.

"Nobody knows what this DJB (Delhi Jal Board) case is about. This seems to be a backup plan to arrest Kejriwal anyhow and stop him from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls," Atishi expressed to reporters.

In response, Arvind Kejriwal has been directed to appear before the agency on Monday regarding the Delhi Jal Board case and on Thursday concerning the liquor policy case. Kejriwal has previously avoided eight summonses linked to the liquor policy case, claiming them to be unlawful. Despite securing bail for skipping six of these summonses, the Delhi Chief Minister remains embroiled in legal battles.

The BJP has criticized Kejriwal's evasion of the law, urging him to address the questions raised by the agency. "The ED has issued summons as per law. But Delhi Chief Minister is running away from it and only he knows why. He has a habit of playing the victim card," remarked Delhi BJP leader Harish Khurrana.

Atishi emphasized the timing of the latest summonses, alleging the BJP's hand in leveraging the ED and the CBI against political opponents. The ED is delving into allegations of money laundering in the discontinued Delhi excise policy for 2021-22, purportedly favoring certain liquor dealers, a charge vehemently denied by AAP.

Further complicating matters, the ED has accused the AAP of receiving bribe money through the Delhi Jal Board tender process, diverting it as electoral funds. The investigation has involved raids on individuals associated with Kejriwal, including his personal assistant and AAP members. In January, arrests were made in connection to the bribery case, shedding light on alleged corruption within the Delhi government.