The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi was apprised by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that in case filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him for non-compliance with the central agency’s summons in the Delhi Excise Policy case, he will appear in person before the Court on March 16.
The court proceedings were attended by Kejriwal through the video conference today. The Delhi CM promised that he will appear physically in court in March after the budget session of the Delhi assembly is over.
The reason cited by Kejriwal for not appearing in court physically was that the budget session was in progress on and there was a floor test scheduled for today.
Arvind Kejriwal said that he wanted to appear but this floor test came suddenly. He added that the budget session will go on till March first week and if the case is listed after that, he will appear personally.
The case was thus adjourned to March 16 by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra.
Kejriwal was summoned by the Court on February 7. While holding that that the Chief Minister was prima facie legally bound to comply with ED’s summons, the judge had ordered him to appear before the Court today.
The ED has filed a criminal complaint against Kejriwal after he did not appear before the central agency despite issuance of the five summons to him on different dates.