Kejriwal skips 2nd ED call, leaves for retreat

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to skip the second summons of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) asking him to appear before it on Thursday (December 21) for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise case.

- Alok KN Mishra

 

A day before his expected appearance in the ED office, Kejriwal left Delhi, according to a programme that was finalised before he received the summons on Monday, December 18. He is scheduled to stay in a vipassana (meditation) retreat at a centre in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab for 10 days. Kejriwal’s office announced this on Saturday, December 16.

ED officials did not respond to requests seeking comment on the matter.

Kejriwal left his residence in Civil Lines at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, a day later than he was supposed to -- the original schedule had him leaving for the retreat on Tuesday.

“The CM will return on December 30 after completing the vipassana session. During the vipassana session, the CM abstains from communication,” said an official in the chief minister’s office (CMO) who asked not to be named.

Kejriwal landed at Adampur airport where he was welcomed by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Security has been tightened around the centre and public movement has been restricted.