Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accused the BJP-led Centre of “unleashing all the central agencies against him as if he is a terrorist”. “You must be reading in the newspapers that Kejriwal has received an ED notice, a CBI notice, a Delhi Police notice. They have unleashed all the agencies against me as if I am the biggest terrorist,” he said.
Kejriwal reiterated his commitment to public service, highlighting initiatives such as free electricity and healthcare in Delhi government hospitals. “They brand me as corrupt, but how can someone who provides free education and healthcare be labeled a thief? Is it thievery to improve public services like education while expanding access to quality healthcare?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has issued yet another summons against Kejriwal following a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate, mandating his appearance on February 17. This summons was issued due to his failure to comply with previous summons to a money-laundering case linked to the AAP government”s excise policy in Delhi.
AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi, while addressing a press conference, said that her party would explain why the Chief Minister skipped five summonses issued by the probe agency.
Atishi alleged that Enforcement Directorate summonses are “part of the conspiracy” to stop the Chief Minister from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections and arrest him.
“By using investigating agencies like ED, the BJP wants the Delhi Chief Minister to go to its investigating agency’s office and get him arrested,” Atishi said.
The excise policy aimed to rejuvenate the city”s liquor industry by transitioning to a system with licensing fees for traders, promising upgraded establishments and a better consumer experience. However, allegations of irregularities prompted Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to order an investigation, resulting in the policy”s cancellation. The Enforcement Directorate is currently probing the matter.
In its sixth charge sheet concerning the case, the ED implicated AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his associate Sarvesh Mishra, alleging that the party diverted kickbacks worth ₹45 crore generated through the policy to fund its election campaign in Goa in 2022.
