What lies ahead for Arvind Kejriwal after skipping third ED summons in Delhi excise policy case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate for the third consecutive time on Wednesday in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader had been skipping the ED summons terming it "illegal", with the party leaders claiming that it is a ploy to arrest him and prevent him from campaigning in the upcoming general elections.

The party has argued that Kejriwal was ready to cooperate with the ED, but has raised doubts over its intentions.

"Why has the notice been sent right before elections? The notice is an attempt to stop Kejriwal from campaigning in elections," the party alleged, according to PTI news agency.

Impending arrest?

A person summoned by the ED can skip the summons three times, following which the agency can approach a court and seek a non-bailable warrant (NBW) and compel their appearance.

In this case, if Kejrwial fails to adhere to the NBW, he could get arrested.

The chief minister had previously refused to appear before the federal agency on two earlier summonses for November 2 and December 21, citing busy schedule in the wake of assembly elections.

Several AAP leaders under the radar

Kejriwal is among the several AAP leaders who have been grilled in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Senior AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and another leader, Sanjay Singh, have been arrested in the same case.

What is the liquor scam?

Launched in 2021 to boost state coffers and improve consumer experience, the liquor sales policy soon ran into trouble after the enforcement authorities found irregularities in the formation and implementation of the policy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED also alleged that the ruling government received kickbacks in lieu of providing benefits to certain retailers.

The AAP has rebuked all the allegations, claiming that the agencies are acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to settle a political score with the Kejriwal government.

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