On Thursday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal through a video message after the speculations that he would be arrested in connection with the alleged scam, said that the Enforcement Directorate had sent false summons to him. The AAP CM accused the BJP of misusing government agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), to get him arrested.
After skipping the 3rd summon by ED related to the liquor scam, Kejriwal held a press conference.
He said: “There is no evidence against me, BJP wants to arrest me, my biggest asset is my honesty and they want to defame me”
Kejriwal further stated that his lawyers suggested: “the summons were illegal”. Further, he questioned the agency for not replying to his earlier questions which he raised.
Arvind Kejriwal said, “The BJP has nothing to investigate. They just want to stop me from campaigning in the Lok Sabha election. Otherwise, why would they summon me just ahead of the elections? The investigation has been going on for two years. The CBI called me eight months ago. Didn’t I attend that? I provided all answers to whatever the CBI asked. But they just want to arrest me on the pretext of summoning me”.
The security has become tightened outside Kejriwal’s residence after the claim of his party leaders that he can get arrested by ED on Thursday.
He added further, “I will cooperate if legal valid summons is sent”.
Further, AAP raised the question of putting notice just before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Kejriwal was summoned on January 3 and earlier on Nov 2 and Dec 21 but he skipped and gave various reasons.
If the agency delivers a questionnaire, Kejriwal said he can respond to it. The chief minister said that it was unclear from the agency if Kejriwal was being called as an accused or a witness.