The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the fifth time in connection with its probe into the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy case. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said that its legal team will take a decision on whether Kejriwal will appear before the ED.
The ED had earlier summoned Kejriwal on November 8, 2023, but he had sought exemption from appearance citing his busy schedule. The agency had then issued fresh summons on November 21, 2023, asking him to appear on December 8, 2023. However, Kejirwal had again sought exemption, citing the ongoing Assembly session in Delhi.
The ED is investigating alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi excise policy, which was rolled out in November 2021. The policy was later withdrawn by the Kejriwal government in July 2022, following allegations of irregularities.
The AAP has accused the BJP-led central government of using the ED to target its political opponents. The party has alleged that the summons to Kejriwal are politically motivated and meant to harass him.
The BJP has denied the allegations and said that the ED is following the law. The party has said that Kejriwal should cooperate with the investigation if he has nothing to hide.
The Delhi excise policy case is one of several probes that the ED is conducting against AAP leaders. The agency is also investigating alleged irregularities in the purchase of buses by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the award of contracts by the Delhi government.
The AAP has accused the ED of being a "political tool" of the BJP and using it to target its opponents. The party has said that the investigations are aimed at destabilising the AAP government in Delhi.
The BJP has denied the allegations and said that the ED is an independent agency that is following the law. The party has said that the AAP leaders should cooperate with the investigations if they have nothing to hide.
