Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday moved a fresh plea in Delhi High Court, seeking no coercive action against him. The division bench, led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, is set to hear the matter this morning. The Enforcement Directorate has so far issued nine summons to him liquor policy ‘scam’ case.
On Wednesday, Kejriwal told the Delhi high court he won’t appear before the ED as there is a “clear intent” to arrest him with elections around the corner.
Reacting to the latest development, Delhi minister Atishi asked, “If ED’s intent is clear, why does it not say in the court that it will not arrest the CM?”
Kejriwal’s reply came after the court asked the CM why he is not appearing before the investigating agency for questioning in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case, as it sought the agency’s stand on the AAP leader’s plea challenging the summonses issues against him.
Kejriwal moved the court in the wake of the latest summons, asking him to appear before it on Thursday (March 21). The AAP leader has repeatedly refused to appear before the agency, calling the summonses illegal.
The court said arrest on the “first or second day” is not the “normal practice” as an investigating agency first records the reasons to do so, if grounds are made out. Citing the arrests of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia in the matter, the senior lawyer, however, claimed that a “new style” of functioning is in place now.
“I will appear. I will answer the questionnaire, but there is a protection that is required. I am not avoiding it. I am not running away from you. I will come myself but I need protection, no coercive steps,” Singhvi said. “I am not a common criminal. Where can I run? Can anyone have roots in the society more than me?” he asked the bench.
Singhvi also contended that the ED has asked Kejriwal to appear before it, without even clarifying if he is an accused or a suspect or witness in the matter. The court said he would get to know his status if he appears pursuant to the summonses and also asked why has he not taken appropriate legal action if he is anticipating arrest.
“You received the first summons on October 30. We have seen your reply and you have given several reasons, including that Diwali festivities are around the corner. And now, we are on to the next festival, elections. So this would go on,” the court said. “Before anything else, you are a citizen of the country, the summons is by name,” it added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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