Kejriwal Arrest HIGHLIGHTS: Cong Attacks Centre After Delhi CM Sent To ED Custody, Says 'One Nation No Election' On PM's Mind
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this space for all the latest developments about the ED's arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Liquor Policy case.
Background
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested HIGHLIGHTS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) team arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday evening in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. The arrest followed a...More
On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being arrested by the ED, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "This is a politics of revenge. BJP is afraid of the INDIA alliance... This is an attack on democracy and our constitution... There is only one thought in the Prime Minister's mind, 'One Nation No Election'... The entire country is in OPD- One Person Dictatorship."
Visuals of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being escorted out of the Rouse Avenue Court Complex in New Delhi.
Delhi court remands CM Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody till 28 March in excise policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer Madan Lal says, "ED was asking for a 10-day remand. They said that to trace the money trail, a custodial investigation is necessary. Considering all aspects, the judge gave a 6-day custodial remand. He will be presented here again on 28 March. ED argued that the money used for the Goa elections was ill-gotten. They said they have statements of some witnesses which prove this fact..."
March 23: Bhagwant Mann will go to Delhi Martyrdom Park along with the rest of the party leaders and leaders of the partner parties of I.N.D.I.A bloc. For this, an appeal has also been made to the parties of I.N.D.I.A bloc.
March 24: Protests across the country.
March 25: Party leaders will not organise any kind of Holi program in protest against the arrest.
March 26: AAP to gherao PM Modi's residence.
Delhi CM & AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal tweets, "...This is a betrayal to the people of Delhi. Your Chief Minister has always stood with you. Whether inside or outside, his life is dedicated to the country. The public knows everything."
Arvind Kejriwal remand hearing | Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who is representing ED, says, "Whatever evidence is there, it has been given to the court."
JKPDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, “Ever since BJP has come to power in the Centre, they have sent several opposition leaders to jail, be it Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal or Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, without trial by court. The ones who join the BJP are given a clean chit, no matter how corrupt they are. BJP is scared that they won’t even touch the 200-seat mark in the Lok Sabha elections, so they are arresting opposition leaders.”
Selected AAP MLAs, Chief Whip Dilip K. Pandey, Mayor Shelly Oberoi, Cabinet Ministers Imran Hussain and Raaj Kumar Anand, being allowed to enter the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested yesterday by the ED in the Excise Policy Case.
Police use water cannons to disperse AAP workers in Kurukshetra, Haryana, as they protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders march towards the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Civil Lines area
Singhvi while concluding his arguments before the Special Judge, requested that please do not look at the remand as a routine. It requires the application of significant judicial mind...there are larger issues of democracy involved, he added. (ANI)
Arvind Kejriwal's ED arrest | Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says that there is no direct evidence. Without there being any material in possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which Mr Kejriwal can be believed to be guilty of an offence, he is being illegally and arbitrarily arrested by the ED, submits Singhvi before Rouse Avenue court.
A PIL has been filed before the Delhi High Court through Advocate Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi CM.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Arvind Kejriwal opposes the remand plea of the Enforcement Directorate and submits that the first thing they need to show is the necessity to arrest.
Power of arrest and necessity of arrest are two different things, adds Singhvi.
Enforcement Directorate tells the court that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was not cooperative during the search.
ASG SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, before Rouse Avenue court submits that the proceeds of crime are not only just Rs 100 crores. Hawala trails of Rs 45 crores traced, the money was used in Goa election, says ASG.
The ED has sought 10-day custody of Delhi CM in liquor policy case.
The Enforcement Directorate has taken Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal from the ED office to Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, to produce him before the trial court in connection with the excise case.
Arvind Kejriwal will be produced by ED before a trial court for remand.
Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann arrived at Arvind Kejriwal's residence.
Arvind Kejriwal has withdrawn his plea from the Supreme Court against ED.
Read full copy here: Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi CM Withdraws Plea From Supreme Court Against ED
Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Sanjay Raut, issuing a statement on Friday, said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was the first to launch a huge movement against corruption in this country along with Anna Hazare and he also had the support of Bharatiya Janata Party at that time.
"The thing is like this, Kejriwal ji, after this fight, he came into politics, he became successful in politics, he got huge success in his country, today two states are in his hands, Punjab and Delhi and his party is growing in the entire country, even if it happens to be Gujarat. Be it Haryana or Himachal," he said.
"Presently this is the rate in the mind of Bharatiya Janata Party, Kejriwal ji is an important part of India alliance and together we can defeat Bharatiya Janata Party in many states in which Kejriwal ji's role is very important," he said further.
Saying that the liquor scam is only on paper, Raut added, "I think the way you have arrested the one sitting Chief Minister, first Hemant Soren ji and now Kejriwal ji. This happens wherever states move against dictatorship".
The Enforcement Directorate has lodged a 'caveat' in the Supreme Court ahead of Kejriwal's plea hearing today. This will allow the ED lawyers to be present in the court during his hearing.
DMK leaders and workers have begun protesting in Chennai against Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest by the ED.
AAP Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by the Delhi Police at ITO during the party's protest.
A three-judge bench comprising of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bela M Trivedi, and MM Sundresh will likely hear Arvind Kejriwal's plea in the afternoon today.
ED is preparing to take Delhi CM Kejriwal into custody as sources say that the central agency is preparing a remand note against the AAP national convenor. (Sources told ABP News)
ED began questioning the Delhi CM Kejriwal after the doctors' team left the ED office after medical examination.
A team of doctors has arrived at the ED office for the medical examination of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
A team of doctors has arrived at the ED office for the medical examination of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has promised a long fight on Delhi's roads and across the country following the arrest of its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Glimpses of what was to come could be seen outside his house Thursday evening, as MLAs, workers, and volunteers began to gather as soon as word spread that an ED team had arrived at the CM's home.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called for nationwide protests on Thursday evening in response to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, citing alleged corruption in the city's liquor policy. The Delhi Police urged people on Friday morning not to jeopardise the capital's law and order situation. It has also stated that strict action will be taken against "lawbreakers".
Delhi Police urges against disrupting security measures in Delhi, vows stringent enforcement following the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. (Input from ABP News reporter Manoj Verma).
Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court refused to protect Kejriwal from coercive action in the now-scrapped excise policy case.
The Delhi Chief Minister has now petitioned the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing to challenge the Delhi High Court's order. The high court is expected to hear the case today.
The division bench of the Delhi High Court heard Kejriwal's application for interim relief, which challenged the ED's summons issued to him in the excise policy case, as well as the validity of certain PMLA provisions. The HC had stated, "At this stage, we are not inclined to pass such an order."
Arvind Kejriwal will not be questioned on Thursday night. After the medical examination, Arvind Kejriwal will be kept in the lockup at the ED office. The lockup is on the ground floor of the ED office and is air-conditioned.
Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal brought to the ED Headquarters.
No special bench of Supreme Court being set up tonight to urgently hear Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by Enforcement Directorate in excise policy case. His plea likely to be listed for hearing tomorrow.
Enforcement Directorate team takes Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to ED Headquarters. He was arrested by ED in the Excice Policy Case.
BRS leader KTR Rao said, "Strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The ED and the CBI have become the chief instruments of repression in the hands of BJP. Political opponents are targeted on unsubstantiated grounds & political vendetta is their sole purpose."
The Enforcement Directorate has moved out of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with him amid ruckus by AAP workers.
On the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "In the end, whatever happened in this case should have happened in a case of corruption... Arvind Kejriwal betrayed and looted Delhi, by making use of hoaxes and lies to form the government... People of Delhi are celebrating his arrest..."
On the arrest of Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "This is a process of law which is being done with a view to taking appropriate action against corruption... We will only say that let the law take its course...."
AAP MLA Rakhi Birla was detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.
NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar tweets, "Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. ‘INDIA’ stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal."
On the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan says, "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is highly objectionable. This action is part of the effort to shut down the opposition voices at the stage of the election process. This shows the cowardice of those who fear the democratic process."
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to X and said, "If a model code of conduct exists to prevent the government from taking decisions that could favour the ruling party, why would a similar code not apply to government departments like IT and ED, whose actions are directly interfering with the functioning of democracy? It is clear that the opposition in key places will go into the elections with its hands& feet tied, and on a playing field that is far from level."
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat, what will 'they' do by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again, and due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse. This arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweets, "The arrogant BJP, which makes false claims of victory every day, is trying to weaken the opposition by all means and illegal means before the elections. If there was real confidence in victory then the accounts of the main opposition party - Congress Party would not have been frozen by misusing the constitutional institutions. The truth is that the BJP is already scared of the upcoming election results..."
Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely reached the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Former Chattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel tweets, "Those who do not join BJP will go to jail. Dictatorship is at its peak. Remember, ego is God's food. We are all united against dictatorship."
NCP-SCP leader and MP Supriya Sule took to X and said, "I stand in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal. This is yet another politically motivated arrest by the ED at the behest of the BJP Government to suppress the voice of the opposition & undermine the electorate at large. We are resilient and united in our fight for constitutional democracy."
After a team of the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, workers of the AAP held a protest outside his residence and blocked the road, causing a traffic jam.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the entire nation is watching the high-voltage drama that is unfolding outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. If I have to describe in one sentence what is happening outside the Delhi CM's residence, it is a celebration of corruption.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi took to X and said, "Targeting Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal in this manner due to elections is completely wrong and unconstitutional. Lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the Prime Minister nor his government. Fight your critics in the electoral battle, confront them boldly, and of course attack their policies and working style - this is democracy. But in this way, using the power of all the institutions of the country to fulfill one's political objective and weakening them by exerting pressure is against every principle of democracy. The bank accounts of the country's largest opposition party Congress have been frozen, all the political parties and their leaders are under pressure day and night from ED, CBI, IT, one Chief Minister has been put in jail, now the other Chief Minister is also in jail. Preparations are being made to take it. Such a shameful scene is being seen for the first time in the independent history of India."
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Liquor Policy case.
AAP took to social media platform X and said, "Mr. Modi, Kejriwal is a staunch patriot. They are not afraid of you and your little people."
Enforcement Directorate team present at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence for questioning. Delhi Minister Imran Hussain says, "It's very unfortunate. It's a conspiracy to stop the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. People of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal and they'll respond to the BJP."
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva says, "Arvind Kejriwal has committed a scam in the liquor policy, looted the people of Delhi, done the work of looting Delhi. So if you have cheated the public, committed theft, or committed corruption, then its consequences are also yours. You have committed theft and corruption in changing the liquor policy under the pretext that you will have to answer."
AAP workers stage protest outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Enforcement Directorate team is present at Arvind Kejriwal's residence for questioning.
As the Enforcement Directorate questions Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, security has been heightened outside the probe agency's office in the national capital.
The trouble might mount for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is not giving clear answers to ED's questions. According to ABP News sources, the probe agency might take him into custody and interrogate him. The ED has already confiscated his phone before questioning.
(Inputs from Varun Jain)
Delhi CM Kejriwal will not resign and the Government will continue to operate from jail says Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal.
According to ABP News sources, the data inside Kejriwal and his family members' gadgets is being dumped.
Enforcement Directorate officials are conducting a search operation at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence.
The Delhi Chief Minister is being questioned by the Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi Liquor Policy case. According to ABP News sources, the probe agency is asking questions pertaining to BRS MLC K Kavitha, who was arrested by the ED a few days ago.
The investigation of the Enforcement Directorate has revealed that the AAP received Rs 338 crore. According to ABP News sources, during the hearing in the Supreme Court on the bail of Manish Sisodia, the probe agency had placed a money trail of Rs 338 crore in front of the court, in which it was proved that Rs 338 crore had reached the Aam Aadmi Party from the liquor mafia. Arvind Kejriwal is the patron of the party; hence, it is necessary to interrogate him.
As ED questions Arvind Kejriwal, top Delhi Police officers reach the Delhi CM's home. CRPF has been deployed in the area.
A Joint Director level officer, who is also the investigating officer in the liquor scam case, is present with his team inside Kejriwal's house. Joint Director Kapil Raj is leading the team. The Delhi CM was asked to submit his phone, after which Kejriwal submitted his phone to the ED team. Many questions related to liquor scam are being asked from Kejriwal. Questions related to liquor policy are being asked to Kejriwal regarding the meetings held at Kejriwal's house.
As the ED team reaches Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's residence, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "This time everyone knows that just a few hours ago, the matter was in the Delhi High Court. The High Court has given time to ED till 22 April, told to file a reply on why the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is crucial? In a way, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now inside Arvind Kejriwal's residence; there is a heavy deployment of police outside his house. Now, communication is not possible with him (Arvind Kejriwal), nor with his secretary, which seems that the agency has taken his phones...They (ED) might arrest him (Arvind Kejriwal)....BJP's atrocities are now exposed in front of this country..."
BJP leader Kapil Mishra took to X and attacked Arvind Kejriwal saying that the people of Delhi will have a sigh of relief. "People of Delhi will heave a sigh of relief after corrupt Kejriwal goes to jail. The people of Delhi are sure to get justice. This is the last chapter of Kejriwal's politics. Kejriwal will spend the rest of his life in jail like a criminal. Kejriwal will be remembered in history as a corrupt, commission-grabber and thief chief minister," Mishra said.
At least four buses of police personnel are outside Delhi CM Kejriwal's home, says AAP. The road outside his residence is blocked.
Heavy police deployment outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.