Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED), labeling its actions against him as an “illegal, politically motivated witch-hunt.” This remark came amidst ongoing legal proceedings and summons issued to Kejriwal by the ED, which he has repeatedly condemned as baseless and driven by political vendetta.
Arvind Kejriwal has been under the ED’s scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities and corruption charges linked to his tenure. The ED’s investigation has led to multiple summons and legal challenges aimed at Kejriwal, which he has consistently refuted. Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), argue that these actions are an attempt to destabilize their government and tarnish their reputation ahead of upcoming elections.
Kejriwal recently skipped an ED summons, branding it as “illegal and politically motivated”He stated that the summons was part of a larger strategy to target opposition leaders and suppress dissent. Kejriwal’s legal team has also moved to the Delhi High Court, challenging the legitimacy of the ED’s actions and seeking relief from what they describe as judicial harassment.
In a related development, the Delhi High Court has been deliberating on extending Kejriwal’s bail amidst the ongoing investigation. Kejriwal’s counsel argued that revoking his bail would be a grave miscarriage of justice, emphasizing that there was no substantial evidence to support the allegations against him Despite the high stakes, the Supreme Court has decided not to grant an urgent hearing for Kejriwal’s bail extension plea, referring the matter to the Chief Justice of India for further consideration
The controversy surrounding Kejriwal and the ED has significant political ramifications. AAP supporters and various political analysts see this as a clear case of misuse of investigative agencies for political gains. They argue that the central government is using these tactics to weaken AAP’s political influence and credibility. On the other hand, proponents of the investigation maintain that the ED is merely fulfilling its duty to investigate corruption and financial misconduct without any political bias.
The public reaction to the ED’s actions and Kejriwal’s defense has been mixed. AAP’s core supporters have rallied behind Kejriwal, perceiving the investigations as unjust and politically driven. Meanwhile, media coverage has been extensive, with varying perspectives on the legitimacy and motivation behind the ED’s actions. Some media outlets have questioned the timing and intensity of the ED’s pursuit, while others have highlighted the need for thorough investigations into alleged corruption.
