Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal,two Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Delhi respectively, have two things in common.  

One, both belong to the opposition camp engaged against the ruling BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Two, both CMs have preferred to skip the summons issued to them by the Enforcement Directorate again and again. 

While CM Soren was in receipt of summons for the sixth time in illegal mining and land scam cases linked with money laundering in Jharkhand,CM Arvind Kejriwal was summoned twice in the alleged liquor scam connected with money laundering in Delhi.  

Notwithstanding reasons cited for not appearing before the investigating agency, both Soren and Kejriwal appear to have kicked the ED and set a record of sorts. This has raised a question - what the ED can do now? 

The ED can issue a third notice to Kejriwal, and can, in theory, continue to issue notices until he complies. However, if he still does not join the investigation, the agency can exercise one of two options. 

One, they can move an application before a court, and ask for a non-bailable warrant against the Chief Minister. Two, investigators can show up at his residence and question him there. Thereafter, if they have concrete evidence, they can arrest him. 

 Now, all eyes are on the ED and it’s next move which can impact politics ahead of general elections 2024 in Jharkhand and Delhi.