New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to retract its summons, which he deems "ambiguous and politically motivated." Kejriwal contends that the summons related to a money laundering case associated with an alleged excise policy scandal lacks clarity regarding his role as a witness or suspect, making it legally untenable.

In his letter to Jogendar, Assistant Director of the ED, Kejriwal raised concerns about the political nature of the summons, suggesting that it was released to select BJP leaders before he officially received it. He asserted that the timing and manner of its issuance appear to serve extraneous purposes and malign his reputation.

Kejriwal pointed out that the summons failed to specify whether he was being summoned in his personal capacity, as Delhi's Chief Minister, or as the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, thereby characterizing it as a speculative and broad-ranging inquiry.

As the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, a prominent national political entity engaged in election campaigns, Kejriwal highlighted the necessity of his travels for campaign activities and providing guidance to party field workers. He also emphasized his official duties as the Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, particularly in light of upcoming Diwali festivities in November 2023.

Notably, this is not the first time Kejriwal has been summoned by investigative agencies. In April of the same year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summoned him in connection with the case. However, he was not named as an accused in the initial First Information Report (FIR) filed by the CBI in August the previous year.

In February 2023, the CBI arrested Kejriwal's Deputy, Manish Sisodia, over alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi's now-defunct excise policy. The policy was discontinued amidst allegations of wrongdoing by opposition parties.

On October 30, the Supreme Court dismissed Manish Sisodia's bail plea in relation to cases linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy matter. The court ordered the trial to conclude within six to eight months, also taking note of a potentially established money trail of 338 crores.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal announced plans to conduct a roadshow in Madhya Pradesh, a state currently heading towards elections.

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