In a series of events related to the Delhi liquor case, Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister, has once again chosen to avoid the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons. The central agency had requested his presence on Wednesday, marking the third instance of his non-compliance. Kejriwal, in response, has deemed the ED’s summons as “illegal.”

This development comes amidst heightened security outside the ED headquarters in the national capital. Sources from the AAP indicate that while Kejriwal is willing to cooperate with the ED, they argue that the notice is an attempt to arrest him, possibly hindering his involvement in election campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leader Udit Raj expressed skepticism about the ED’s actions, claiming that the agency is leveling “false allegations” against opposition leaders. He pointed to instances involving Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, suggesting a trend of using such investigations to put pressure on political adversaries.

Notably, this is the third ED summons for Kejriwal. The previous instances occurred on November 2 and December 21, with the Delhi Chief Minister citing a busy schedule before the Assembly elections as his reason for refusal. On missing the second summons, Kejriwal wrote to the investigating officer, contending that the notice for his personal appearance was “not in consonance with the law” and should be withdrawn. He further alleged that the summons were politically motivated, orchestrated by rivals aiming to stifle opposition voices in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

As the situation unfolds, the political landscape becomes increasingly charged, with the ED’s actions drawing scrutiny and accusations of political motivations. The standoff raises questions about the intersection of legal processes and political maneuvering in the lead-up to crucial elections.