Naresh Baliyan, an AAP candidate, has been summoned in connection with a liquor haul
After the Delhi election on Saturday, a candidate of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi party has to meet a different deadline. Naresh Baliyan, who is contesting the polls from Uttam Nagar in west Delhi, has been summoned by the police over a large liquor haul found in a warehouse linked to him.
Mr Kejriwal has alleged that Mr Baliyan is being targeted for political reasons. In a tweet blaming the BJP, he said, "You can misuse your powers to arrest all our candidates, but you will still lose."
Nearly 500 cartons of liquor were found in Mr Baliyan's possession, Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi said, denying any pressure to act against the candidate.
"That is why we have summoned him. We have been handling the case with sensitivity. We are not biased, we are not acting under any pressure," Mr Bassi said, adding, "Coercive action will be taken if need be."
Mr Baliyan is a municipal coucillor. The warehouse where the liquor was found allegedly belongs to his cousin. The police say he has not cooperated in the investigations till now.
The police chief said Naresh Baliyan has not been named in any FIR or First Information Report, which proved that the case was being handled with "care and sensitivity."
AAP leaders met Mr Bassi on Friday on behalf of their candidate and said he would appear on Sunday, a day after the election. The leaders reportedly told the police that everyone is busy with the polls so Mr Baliyan could not possibly respond to summons to appear on Friday. They also alleged that their candidate is being framed.