Delhi Excise Policy: ED Issues 4th Summons To Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Asks To Appear on January 18

This development came after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal skipped the Enforcement Directorate's summons thrice previously in November, December, and January for interrogation in connection with the ongoing liquor policy case.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 13 January 2024 8:40 am

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday issued?a fourth summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the ongoing turmoil over a?liquor policy case and asked him to appear on January 18. Recently, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders?feared that he might get arrested by ED owing to?his repeated refusal to depose before them. However, the federal financial?investigation agency declined the claim and termed the reports of raids at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence as 'nothing but rumors'.

ED issues 4th summons to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, asks him to appear on Jan 18 in Delhi excise policy case: Officials
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 13, 2024

What did Kejriwal say?

Kejriwal, who skipped the third summons by the Enforcement Directorate on January 3, asserted that he had not been associated with any corruption. "I've explained to ED why their summons is illegal, they have no answer to it", said the Aam Admi Party (AAP) supremo on Thursday.

"My lawyers told me that summons (sent by the ED) is illegal. I sent them a letter explaining in detail why the summons is illegal. However, they are yet to respond to my questions. This means that they also know that the summons is illegal. I am ready to cooperate if legal summons is sent", he added.

Moreover, questioning the time of sending notice for interrogation, Kejriwal also said, "BJP's aim is to stop me from campaigning for Lok Sabha election 2024."

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Kejriwal skipped summons?

This development came after Mr Kejriwal skipped summons for questioning by the probe agency thrice including in?November, December, and January.

In April, he was questioned for nine hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation. He has not been named as an accused in the case.

Kejriwal deliberately skipped the summons citing that the were politically "motivated" and said it was not clear whether he was being called as a witness or a suspect in the case.

According to the Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders, the move was a part of stopping him from campaigning in the national election due later this year.