Reiterating his claim that the BJP was targeting him, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to appear in person before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday. He asserted that the communication accompanying the fourth summons issued on January 12 was arbitrary, mala fide, and illegal. This marks Kejriwal’s fourth notice from the agency, requiring him to appear on either January 18 or January 19.
Sources indicated that the Chief Minister alleged the ED is summoning him at the BJP’s behest, not for a specific investigation or statement recording, but to arrest him. The alleged motive is to prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional and statutory duties and campaigning in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, the BJP has criticized Kejriwal for consistently disregarding the Enforcement Directorate’s summons, asserting that he fears arrest due to his alleged involvement as the “kingpin” in the excise scam.
During a press conference at the party headquarters, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed that Kejriwal did not appear before the ED because he was “sweating” in winter and “shaking in fear,” anticipating his arrest, given his purported role in the excise police scam.
Referring to the latest ED summons dated 12.01.2024, requesting Kejriwal’s appearance on January 18/19, along with a communication received from the ED, sources reported that Kejriwal criticized the ED’s response for being rife with contradictions, incorrect facts/law, and vagueness. In his reply, he emphasized that, in a country governed by the rule of law, the language and tone of the ED’s communication overlook this fundamental principle. Kejriwal argued that the ED’s approach is arbitrary and biased, contrary to established norms and constitutional principles. Additionally, he asserted that the ED has levied baseless accusations against him.
Sources indicated that Kejriwal argued that none of the communications sent by the ED explained whether he is perceived as a suspect, a prospective accused, or a witness. Additionally, it remains unclear whether he is being summoned in connection with an investigation or inquiry into the role of a political party or any other aspect.
Furthermore, the ED communications do not provide clarity on whether the requirement for his in-person examination under Section 50 PMLA is necessary for any specific purpose. Kejriwal questioned whether, in the absence of the need for any document as envisaged under Section 50(2) PMLA, the recording of his statement ‘to give evidence’ would justify his appearance without disclosing the facts under inquiry. This enquiry was raised in his response to the communication and summon dated 12.01.2024, as per the sources.
Speaking to reporters at an event organized by the Delhi government, Kejriwal asserted that the ED summonses issued to him were “illegal” and part of a political conspiracy to hinder him from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
He alleged that the entire exercise of serving him summons was carried out with the intention to arrest him before the high-octane polls expected in April-May. The chief minister stated that he received a summons from the Enforcement Directorate last week for the fourth time, requiring him to appear before the agency on January 18 or January 19. “The BJP is running the ED. Their sole intention is to arrest me to prevent me from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Kejriwal mentioned that he had sent his reply to the central agency.
“The four notices sent to me are illegal in the eyes of the law. General, non-specific notices like these have been quashed by the courts in the past. I have repeatedly written to the ED, stating that the notices are illegal, but they have not replied to me,” he said. Alleging that the notices are part of a “political conspiracy,” he mentioned that the probe into the excise policy case has been ongoing for two years without substantial findings. “False statements are being extracted from people through coercion,” he added.
Kejriwal received the fourth summons in the liquor policy case on January 12, instructing him to appear before the central agency for questioning on Thursday, January 18. He had skipped the previous summons asking him to appear before the ED on November 2 and December 21, 2023, and January 3, 2024.