New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday directed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on February 17 to explain why he has skipped multiple summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The central agency is probing alleged money-laundering in connection with the liquor excise policy scam in the national capital.
The court was hearing a complaint by the ED regarding Kejriwal’s failure to comply with five summons over the last three months – on November 2, December 22, January 3, January 18 and February 2.
In its complaint to the court against Kejriwal last week, ED asserted that as a public servant the Delhi CM could not disregard government agency directives.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra stated that she has acknowledged the agency’s complaint, and summons are being issued to the Aam Aadmi Party chief.
Kejriwal has the option of challenging the Rouse Avenue court order by either seeking a stay or requesting relief from personal appearance.
Kejriwal is also under the scanner of Delhi Crime Branch regarding his statement alleging that the BJP attempted to bribe seven AAP MLAs. The Crime Branch has asked him to provide evidence to substantiate his allegations.
The ED also is investigating a case related to the Delhi Jal Board, having carried out searches at 12 premises, including those linked to Kejriwal’s personal secretary Bibhav Kumar and AAP Rajya Sabha member ND Gupta.
