CM skips summons, ED says it will likely send a fresh notice

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday skipped the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi's 2021-22 excise policy for the seventh time, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) arguing that a court will determine if he appears before the agency and alleged that the Centre was trying to pressure the party to quit the Opposition's INDIA grouping.

- 

The agency is now likely to issue Kejriwal an eighth summons.

"The matter is in court and the next hearing is scheduled for March 16. Instead of sending these summons every day, ED should wait for the court's order. We will not leave the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and the central government should not pressure us this way," the party said.

Kejriwal also said he will only appear before the federal agency only if a court orders him to do so.

ED has summoned the chief minister seven times in connection with the case. He also skipped the previous six summons on November 2 and December 22 last year, and on January 3, January 18, February 2 and February 19 - calling them "illegal and politically motivated".