Delhi CM Kejriwal summoned by ED for the 9th time in liquor policy case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the ninth time, urging him to participate in the probe related to the alleged liquor policy scam on March 21. This marks the ninth instance where Kejriwal has ignored the ED's summonses.

The latest development comes after a Delhi court granted bail to Kejriwal on Saturday, following complaints from the ED regarding his non-compliance with the summonses in the liquor policy case. Kejriwal had informed the court earlier that his failure to attend the ED summonses was due to his busy schedule as the Chief Minister of Delhi, and not an intentional act.

The ED had lodged a complaint in court on February 3 after Kejriwal missed the summons for the fifth time, citing sections 190 and 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code. These sections pertain to non-compliance with the agency's summonses under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and failure to engage in the investigation.

In its application, the ED criticized Kejriwal for his lack of cooperation in the investigation, highlighting that irrespective of one's status, everyone is obligated to attend upon being served with a summons. The agency emphasized that there is no special immunity for disregarding summonses, even for a Chief Minister, merely based on being occupied with work responsibilities.