NE Watch Desk
Aam Aadmi Party or AAP chief and Delhi
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to face the Enforcement Directorate or ED
for the fourth time in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The ED has
issued a summon for Kejriwal to appear before the probe agency on January 18.
This move follows Kejriwal’s multiple non-compliance
with the ED’s summons, where he asserted the issued summons were illegitimate
and aimed solely at facilitating his arrest.
Arvind Kejriwal had previously declined
to appear before the ED on two occasions – on November 2 and December 21. While
he had been quizzed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in April
regarding the case, the agency did not designate him as an accused.
AAP leaders have been speculating Kejriwal’s
arrest since the initial summons from the Enforcement Directorate. With three
prominent AAP leaders – Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain – already
in custody, the party has been advocating for Kejriwal to continue his Chief
Ministerial duties even from jail.
The Central Bureau of Investigation
alleges that liquor companies played a role in shaping the excise policy,
promising them a 12 per cent profit. The “South Group,” a labeled liquor lobby,
allegedly paid kickbacks, with a portion routed to public servants. The
Enforcement Directorate is investigating money laundering related to these
kickbacks.
The Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP
contends the AAP utilized the proceeds of the alleged scam to finance a
substantial campaign in Gujarat, where it secured 12.91 per cent of the votes,
solidifying its status as a national party.
