The AAP chief had been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (File)New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy case for the fourth time. He has been asked to appear before the probe agency on January 18.

This comes after Arvind Kejriwal skipped January 3 questioning, saying that the summons issued by the ED were illegal and its only aim is to arrest him.

Mr Kejriwal, also the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, had refused to appear before the probe agency on two earlier summons for November 2 and December 21 as well.

The AAP chief had been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the case in April, but had not been made an accused by the agency.

Ever since the first summons was issued by the Enforcement Directorate, there has been intense speculation that the Delhi chief minister would be arrested by the agency after his questioning. 

With three of its leaders -- Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendra Jain -- behind the bars, AAP has long been anticipating the eventuality and has discussed the possible courses of action.  They even want Mr Kejriwal to remain the Chief Minister and do his job from jail.

PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

The CBI contends that liquor companies were involved in framing the excise policy, which would have brought them a 12 per cent profit. A liquor lobby it dubbed the "South Group" had paid kickbacks, part of which was routed to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate alleged laundering of the kickbacks.

The BJP has alleged that the proceeds of the alleged scam were used by the AAP to fund its large-scale campaign in Gujarat, in which it got a 12.91 per cent votes and established itself as a national party.