New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a virtual appearance before the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday, seeking exemption from physical attendance due to ongoing legislative commitments, including a confidence motion in the Delhi Assembly. Kejriwal’s appearance via videoconference was in response to summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a case related to his non-appearance before the agency.
Kejriwal’s legal counsel conveyed to the court that he would personally attend the proceedings on the next scheduled date.
During the virtual session, Kejriwal cited his involvement in the confidence motion discussions and the ongoing budget session as reasons for his inability to physically attend the court hearing. The court has adjourned the matter until March 16.
The Delhi court had previously directed the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor to appear before it on February 17 following complaints filed by the ED for failing to respond to summonses in a case related to excise policy. The court noted that Kejriwal was “legally bound” to comply with the summonses.
The ED initiated proceedings against Kejriwal after he missed five summonses related to a money laundering case linked to Delhi’s excise policy. Despite the issuance of a sixth summons, Kejriwal’s appearance before the federal agency is scheduled for February 19.
In a parallel development, Kejriwal moved a motion of confidence in the Delhi Assembly, which is slated for discussion on Saturday. The motion comes amidst a contentious political environment, with the suspension of seven BJP legislators for alleged interference during the Lt Governor’s address on Thursday.
This marks the second instance of the Kejriwal government seeking a trust vote in the 70-member assembly. With the Aam Aadmi Party holding 62 seats and the BJP possessing eight, Kejriwal presented the motion amidst allegations of BJP attempting to poach AAP MLAs under ‘Operation Lotus.’
Addressing the assembly, Kejriwal denounced the charges against him in the excise policy case, asserting their falsity. The Leader of Opposition, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, questioned Kejriwal’s confidence, highlighting the trust vote motion amidst allegations against the BJP.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel confirmed that discussions on Kejriwal’s confidence motion are scheduled for Saturday, underscoring the significance of the ongoing political developments in the capital’s legislative landscape.
