Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to Ignore ED Summons in DJB Case, AAP Calls Summons “Illegal” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has decided to bypass the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons related to a money laundering investigation connected to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), as per statements from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The AAP has labeled the summons as “illegal” and accused the BJP-led Central government of using the ED to target Kejriwal.
The ED had directed Arvind Kejriwal to appear at its office on APJ Abdul Kalam Road on March 18 for providing his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Earlier objections from the AAP suggested a potential “political conspiracy” behind the summons, hinting at a strategy to hinder Kejriwal’s campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Delhi minister Atishi highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the DJB case and speculated about its timing, implying a connection to Kejriwal’s election campaigning. Atishi remarked, “Nobody knows what this Delhi Jal Board (DJB) case is about. This seems to be a backup plan to arrest Kejriwal anyhow and stop him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls.”
Additionally, Arvind Kejriwal faces inquiries in a separate money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. He has previously dismissed eight summonses in that matter, labeling them as “illegitimate.” The ED has summoned him for questioning on March 21 in connection with this case.
The DJB case revolves around a CBI FIR alleging irregularities in a DJB contract awarded to NKG Infrastructure Ltd. for ₹38 crore, bypassing technical eligibility criteria. The ED alleges that funds obtained through corrupt means in this contract were funneled as election funds to AAP. The agency asserts that the contract was inflated to collect bribes, with only a portion of the allotted funds actually used for the contract, while the rest was allegedly siphoned off for illicit purposes.
In February, the ED conducted raids at the residences of individuals linked to the contract, leading to arrests of key figures. Among those arrested were former DJB chief engineer Jagdish Kumar Arora and contractor Anil Kumar Aggarwal on January 31. The ED has accused NKG Infrastructure Ltd of submitting forged documents to secure the bid and alleges that Arora was complicit in overlooking the company’s lack of technical eligibility.
Sources By Agencies
