ED Summons: Arvind Kejriwal appears before Delhi court via videoconferencing

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and also the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief, has finally appeared before a Delhi court today to address why he had missed five earlier summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This court appearance coincides with his move to seek a vote of confidence in the Delhi Assembly, aimed at demonstrating his political strength amidst allegations from his party that the BJP was attempting to influence AAP MLAs.

The motion for a vote of confidence was initiated by Kejriwal in response to purported attempts by BJP members to sway AAP MLAs by offering inducements and making claims about the Chief Minister's potential arrest. Allegations surfaced that 21 AAP legislators were considering defecting to the BJP, prompting Kejriwal to present a united front and refute these claims during the Assembly session.

This is the second instance of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government seeking a vote of confidence. With 62 MLAs in the 70-member Assembly, the Aam Aadmi Party holds a substantial majority, while the BJP commands only eight seats.

The court's summons to Kejriwal stemmed from the ED's investigation into the liquor policy case, where the agency alleged deliberate non-compliance with previous summonses. The ED emphasized the importance of public officials adhering to legal obligations to set a precedent for law-abiding behavior among citizens.

Kejriwal and the AAP have consistently contested the legality of the summonses, characterizing them as a pretext for his potential arrest. Despite his absence, the party has expressed confidence in his leadership and discussed strategies for governance continuity, even in the event of his incarceration.

Ramesh Gupta, lawyer for Delhi CM says, "Arvind Kejriwal moved an application for exemption from personal appearance before Rouse Avenue court which was accepted. ASG Raju, representing ED, did not oppose the application. The court has fixed March 16 as the next date of hearing.… pic.twitter.com/4ytPZghBz1

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2024

The ED's investigation revolves around allegations of corruption in the formulation of the excise policy, purportedly involving kickbacks from liquor companies. The BJP has accused the AAP of utilizing the proceeds from this alleged scam to finance its electoral campaigns, particularly in Gujarat, where it made significant inroads.