Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News Live Updates: The Enforcement Directorate detained Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, March 21, in connection with the suspected Delhi liquor excise policy scheme.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court denied the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief interim protection from coercive action. Kejriwal has reportedly been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002.
Highlights
- On Thursday evening, March 21, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the liquor excise policy case.
- This happened just hours after the Delhi High Court denied his request for protection from ‘coercive action’ by the agency.
- Minutes after his arrest, AAP leader Atishi announced that the party has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to overturn his arrest.
- INDIA group leaders and chief ministers have strongly denounced Kejriwal’s arrest.
- The ED had issued over 9 summons to Kejriwal to appear for questioning in the excise policy matter.
- However, the AAP chief ignored all of them.
- Kejriwal is reportedly the third high-profile AAP leader arrested in the excise policy issue, following Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.
- AAP has called for a nation-wide protest against Kejriwal’s arrest.
AAP workers gather outside the BJP office to protest
Heavy security has been deployed near the BJP headquarters on Delhi’s Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been implemented in the region. AAP cadres have assembled in protest of Kejriwal’s imprisonment. “This is to advise you that Section 144 has been implemented here at ITO. We request that the protestors leave the area immediately; else, we will have to use force,” a police officer remarked.
Kejriwal’s Petition
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to Kejriwal’s petition before CJI Chandrachud on Friday morning. While noting the need for an expedited hearing, he stated, “If this process continues, before the first vote is cast, many senior officials will be imprisoned. Please take this up.” The case has been assigned to a Special Bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela Trivedi.
AAP Leaders Say They Are Not Allowed to Meet Kejriwal’s Family
Meanwhile, AAP leaders Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj claim that no one is allowed to see Kejriwal’s family. “I came here to meet his family, but they’ve been placed under house arrest.” Which law is preventing me from meeting his family?” Gopal Rai said
‘Mockery of democracy’: Kapil Sibal
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal described Kejriwal’s incarceration as a mockery of democracy. “INDIA Alliance must determine what to do. I’ve been saying since the beginning that the alliance needs to band together against all of this… This is the zero case… The entire argument is built on the statements of the approvers… There are no proofs. “This is a mockery of democracy,” he told ANI.
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