A recent twist of political theatrics, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has skillfully sidestepped an Enforcement Directorate (ED) summon related to the controversial Delhi Liquor Policy case. The AAP leader boldly penned a letter to the ED, challenging the legitimacy of the summons, branding it as “vague, motivated, and unsustainable in law.” As the political saga unfolds, Kejriwal’s colleagues, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, find themselves behind bars in connection to the same case.
Amidst the legal turmoil, Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann took to the streets for a spirited roadshow in support of the AAP’s candidate from Singrauli, Rani Agrawal. Not only is Agrawal the party’s state president, but she also holds the coveted position of mayor in Singrauli—a city that emerged as a surprising electoral triumph for the AAP in a state traditionally dominated by the BJP and Congress. As the political landscape heats up, the impending polls for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly on November 17 add another layer of complexity to the narrative.
The ED’s summons to Kejriwal revolves around the alleged Delhi excise policy case, with the aim of recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The question on everyone’s mind now is, what lies ahead for the Delhi CM?
The Supreme Court’s recent acknowledgment of the prosecution’s commitment to concluding the trial within the next 6-8 months adds an air of anticipation to the situation. This development occurred during a hearing related to the scrapped Delhi Liquor case and the involvement of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
So, what can we expect next from the ED?
The ED has the option to issue a fresh summon for CM Kejriwal, giving him another chance to comply. It’s worth noting that an individual can choose to ignore an ED summon up to three times. However, crossing this three-time threshold could spell trouble for Kejriwal.
If Kejriwal continues to snub the ED’s calls, the agency holds the authority to issue a non-bailable warrant against the Delhi CM. This would compel Kejriwal to appear before a court at a specified date and time, adding a layer of legal urgency to the proceedings.
In response to these potential challenges, what avenues does CM Kejriwal have?
He can persist in ignoring the ED summons for a total of three instances. Alternatively, Kejriwal may choose to challenge the legitimacy of the summons issued by the ED in the alleged Delhi excise policy case. However, if he pushes his luck beyond this point and disregards a non-bailable warrant, the ED gains the power to arrest the Delhi Chief Minister, presenting him before the court.
In this high-stakes game of legal chess, Kejriwal’s moves will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of his political future. Will he emerge unscathed, or will the ED’s maneuvers checkmate the Delhi CM? Only time will tell as the drama unfolds in the corridors of power and justice.