'Why Don't You Appear?': Delhi HC Asks Kejriwal After He Challenges ED Summons

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (20 March) moved the High Court challenging the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to him in connection with liquor policy case.

The Delhi High Court sought the response of the ED on Kejriwal's plea.

A Division Bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain did not issue formal notice on the matter as ED challenged the maintainability of the plea.

During the hearing, the Court asked Kejriwal's counsel Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi why the CM was not appearing before the agency for questioning.

Singhvi responded that they apprehend that ED will arrest him and that the Chief Minister is ready to appear if he is given protection.

"You are citizen of the country, the summons is by name only. Why don't you appear," the Bench asked, Bar and Bench reported.

This comes a day after the ED on Tuesday (19 March) for the first time alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief was a conspirator in the Delhi excise policy case.

The ED has issued nine summonses to Kejriwal since October last year. However, the AAP chief is yet to appear before the agency for questioning in the Liquor policy case.

The central probe agency in its latest summons asked him to appear before it on 21 March.

Kejriwal’s plea is listed for hearing on Wednesday before a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain.

Kejriwal and AAP have called the summonses illegal and have alleged that they are being sent at the behest of the BJP.

There is a growing concern within AAP that these actions might lead to Kejriwal's arrest.

Earlier on Saturday, a Delhi court had granted bail to Kejriwal on two complaints filed by the ED against him for skipping summonses.

Three other AAP leaders -- Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendar Jain -- may also appear before the Rouse Avenue court today.

With three of its leaders -- Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendra Jain -- behind the bars, AAP has long been anticipating the eventuality and has discussed the possible courses of action.

The CBI contends that liquor companies were involved in framing the excise policy, which would have brought them a 12 per cent profit.

A liquor lobby it dubbed the "South Group" had paid kickbacks, part of which was routed to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate alleged laundering of the kickbacks.

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