Arvind Kejriwal's ED Summons: What's Next? Can He Be Arrested?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently made headlines for not appearing at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office despite receiving a summons. This has raised questions about the ED's next course of action and the legal options available to Kejriwal. Additionally, the political implications of this situation cannot be ignored. In this post, we'll delve into the potential scenarios, Kejriwal's options, and the political backdrop of this development.

1. Can the ED Arrest Kejriwal?

The ED issued its first summons on October 30, instructing CM Kejriwal to appear on November 2. However, if Kejriwal continues to disregard the summons, the investigating agency can take the following steps:

Second Summons:  The ED can reissue a second summons if Kejriwal doesn't comply with the first one.

Third Summons:  If he ignores the second summons, a third summons may be issued. However, a person can ignore three ED summons.

Non-Bailable Warrant:   In case Kejriwal persists in ignoring the summons, the ED can request a non-bailable warrant from the court. This would compel Kejriwal to appear on time.

Arrest:   If Kejriwal continues to evade the non-bailable warrant, the ED has the authority to arrest him.

2. What Legal Options Does Kejriwal Have?

Arvind Kejriwal has contested the legality of the ED's summons and can pursue the following legal options:

Challenge in Court:  Kejriwal can approach the court to challenge the validity of the ED summons.

Anticipatory Bail:  He can also seek anticipatory bail from the court to protect himself from potential arrest.

Ambiguity in Summons:  Kejriwal has pointed out the lack of clarity in the ED summons regarding the nature of his summoning, be it as a witness or a suspect.

3. The Political Angle:

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the ED's summons of being politically motivated. Saurabh Bhardwaj, a senior AAP leader, raised questions about the intent behind the summons. He emphasized the need for clarity on the basis for Kejriwal's summons, raising suspicions about potential political manipulation.

Additionally, Delhi government cabinet minister Bhardwaj noted that BJP MP Manoj Tiwari had suggested in an interview that Kejriwal would be arrested. This further fuels allegations of a political conspiracy, especially as elections are underway in five states and Kejriwal's role as the national convenor of AAP necessitates extensive campaigning.

Conclusion:

The situation involving Arvind Kejriwal's ED summons has generated significant interest and speculation. As we've explored in this post, the ED can take a series of legal steps if Kejriwal continues to evade their summons, while Kejriwal himself has legal recourse to challenge the summons and seek anticipatory bail. The political context of this development cannot be underestimated, with allegations of a political conspiracy adding another layer to the story. The coming days will likely shed more light on the unfolding events.