Enforcement Directorate summons Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for the fourth time

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned for the fourth time by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection to the Delhi liquor policy case. The ED has directed him to appear for questioning on January 18.

The Aam Admi Party Chief had previously not attended the January 3 summon, and stated that the ED's summons were illegal with the sole intention to arrest him. Kejriwal had also skipped the two summons dated November 2 and December 21 that preceded the January 3 summon.

In April 2023, Arvind Kejriwal was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection to the case, however, the AAP chief was not named an accused by the central agency.

As per the CBI, the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam encompasses of the liquor companies that had a role to play in laying down the scaffold of the excise policy anticipating a 12% profit. The "South Group," identified as a liquor lobby by the CBI, made payments, and a portion of the funds was directed towards public servants. The Enforcement Directorate has accused the laundering of these funds.

Since the issuance of the initial ED summons there has been widespread speculation that the Delhi chief minister may be arrested by the central agency following the questioning. With three AAP leaders, namely, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain, already in custody, the Aam Aadmi Party has considered the possibility of the potential arrest of the Delhi CM and has deliberated upon courses of action that would follow. The Aam Admi Party has also floated the idea of Kejriwal continuing as the Chief Minister of Delhi and performing his duties from jail.