India - Feb 17, 2024: Fresh off a resounding victory in a trust vote yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to appear before a Delhi court today, February 17th, 2024. This court appearance stems from a money laundering case linked to the scrapped Delhi excise policy and adds another layer to the ongoing political drama in the national capital.
Kejriwal, also the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) five times previously in connection with the case but failed to appear each time. The court, on February 7th, issued a final summons, stating that he was "legally bound" to comply.
Today's hearing will see Kejriwal explain his reasons for skipping the five earlier summons. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could result in charges under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant.
The ED alleges that Kejriwal deliberately avoided their summons and offered "evasive excuses" for his absence. They argue that "a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeying the law sets a wrong example for the common man."
Kejriwal, however, has maintained his innocence in the money laundering case, claiming the ED action is politically motivated. His supporters view the summons as a tool to harass him and his party, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accuses him of evading investigation.
This court appearance comes just hours after Kejriwal won a trust vote in the Delhi Assembly, consolidating his hold on power. It remains to be seen whether his recent political victory will have any bearing on the court proceedings.
