ED summons case: Kejriwal appears before Delhi court via videoconference
What's the story
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court via video conference over skipping five summonses by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy case. The next hearing is set for March 16. Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly will also take up a motion of confidence moved by Kejriwal on Saturday. This comes amid the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to "poach" its MLAs.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The AAP supremo's move to appear before the Delhi court comes ahead of theED's sixth summons to appear before it on Monday (February 19). This is also the second time the Kejriwal administration has sought a trust vote in a show of strength in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, where the AAP holds 62 seats and the BJP has eight seats.
Twitter Post
Court fixes March 16 for physical appearance of Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal appeared before Rouse Avenue court via video conferencing in the matter of the Enforcement Directorate's recent complaint against him in the excise policy case, today. The CM told the court that due to the confidence motion discussion in the assembly and… https://t.co/7VRDoMVPrz
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2024
Court visit
Kejriwal summoned by court for non-compliance with ED summons
The Rouse Avenue Court summoned Kejriwal on Saturday after he failed to respond to multiple summonses from the ED in a money laundering case connected to the now-scrapped excise policy case. The court noted that he was "legally bound" to comply with the summons. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also scheduled to appear before the court as his judicial custody ends on Saturday.
ED summons
Kejriwal skipped 5 summonses in liquor policy case
The AAP supremo has skipped the ED's five previous summonses. Moreover, Kejriwal and his party repeatedly argued that the summonses were illegal and the agency's only purpose was to apprehend him. Since the central probe agency issued the first summons in the case, there has been intense speculation that it would arrest the Delhi chief minister after his questioning.
Kejriwal's claim
MLAs offered Rs. 25 crore to join BJP: Kejriwal
Meanwhile, moving the vote of confidence motion in the assembly on Friday, Kejriwal stated that two AAP MLAs had informed him about being approached by the BJP. They also reportedly alleged the Delhi CM would soon get arrested. "The MLAs were told that 21 AAP legislators have agreed to leave the party, and more are in touch with the BJP. They offered MLAs Rs. 25 crore to join the BJP. The MLAs told me they didn't accept it," Kejriwal said.