Delhi Liquor Policy Scam Case: Will Arvind Kejriwal skip ED summons again for the third time?

New Delhi: As Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy case today, the speculation around whether he will be arrested grows in case he decides to skip again. When asked about Kejriwal's presence, the party's chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Tuesday told reporters, "Our legal team will be in a better position to answer the question. Whatever we will do will be according to law."

The AAP's national convenor has been called for the third time to appear before the central agency to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Kejriwal had skipped earlier summonses for November 2 and December 21, calling them "illegal" and "politically motivated." Skipping his last summon, Kejriwal went to a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in Punjab.

Meanwhile, AAP has launched the 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' campaign from December 1 where all party leaders and councillors have been visiting every household in Delhi to seek public opinion on whether Kejriwal should resign or continue his work as CM from jail. The campaign will go on till December 20.

The case so far

Last year, Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested in the same case. Ahead of his arrest, CBI had filed a chargesheet against Sisodia. As soon as the money-laundering and the monetary kickbacks angle surfaced out of the CBI probe, the ED stepped in. According to the agencies, the changes in the now-scrapped excise policy under Sisodia's charge resulted in the loss of Rs 2,631 crore to the Delhi exchequer while benefitting the liquor mafia.

Arrested accused Vijay Nair, who was a close aide of Sisodia, was the key mind behind the whole operation, according to the agency. Nair utilised the existing loopholes in the earlier policy along with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai, who reportedly worked as a frontman for BRS leader K Kavitha. According to ED, both Pillai and Nair worked under the shadow of Sisodia and Kejriwal. They were further involved in the formulation of the policy and its implementation.  Earlier this year, Pillai was arrested by ED for his involvement in the case. As per ED, Pillar was part of the 'south group' that had sent kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders. Pillai was deeply involved with Indospirits, a liquor manufacturing company. He allegedly held 32.5% share in the company. The ED had also named K Kavitha in its chargesheet, claiming that she had held 65 per cent in Indospirits.