In the ongoing saga surrounding Delhi’s excise policy, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has turned its attention to Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant (PA) to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Labeling Kejriwal as the alleged “kingpin” of the purported scam, the central agency took him into custody on March 21. Now, they have summoned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Durgesh Pathak, demanding his presence on Monday.

These summons to Pathak arrive on the heels of Delhi Minister Atishi’s recent assertion that the agency is targeting four other party leaders in connection to the scandal: herself, fellow minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Pathak, and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who is currently overseas for medical treatment.

Atishi’s claim followed a statement made by the ED during a court hearing subsequent to Kejriwal’s arrest, suggesting that the AAP national convenor had implicated both Atishi and Bharadwaj. Kejriwal remains in judicial custody until April 15.

Insiders familiar with the situation informed Hindustan Times that Kumar, in his capacity as the chief minister’s PA, is being interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate to obtain clarifications regarding certain documents pertinent to their investigation.

Regarding Pathak, an unnamed officer disclosed that his name emerged in relation to cash transactions during the February 2022 Goa assembly elections. Despite AAP securing only two out of 40 assembly seats in Goa, alongside a 6.8% vote share, Amit Palekar, the party’s Goa unit head and chief ministerial candidate, vehemently refuted any allegations of impropriety. He affirmed readiness to face any inquiry alongside other local party leaders.

The officer further indicated that Pathak is expected to present himself at the ED headquarters later in the afternoon for questioning.