Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by Enforcement Directorate Amidst Controversy Over Liquor Policy Scam
Mr Kejriwal has become the first sitting chief minister to be arrested
New Delhi: In a seismic development in national politics just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged liquor policy scam. The probe agency was investigating the money laundering angle in the case.
Mr Kejriwal has become the first serving chief minister to be arrested in the history of Independent India and his party has said he will continue to hold the post.
The ED has taken Mr Kejriwal from his official residence to the agency’s office in central Delhi.
Speaking from outside the chief minister’s residence on Thursday, Delhi minister Atishi said, “We are getting reports that the Enforcement Directorate has arrested Mr Kejriwal. His arrest is a conspiracy by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since the investigation of this case began two years ago, not one rupee has been recovered by the ED or the CBI despite over 1,000 raids on AAP leaders and ministers.”
“Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election is a conspiracy. Mr Kejriwal is not just a man, he is an idea. If you think arresting one Kejriwal can finish off the idea, you are wrong. Mr Kejriwal is, was and will remain the Delhi chief minister. We have said from the beginning that he will run the government from jail if need be. No law stops him from doing so,” she said in Hindi.
Pointing out that Mr Kejriwal has not been convicted, Ms Atishi said the fight will go on and the party has approached the Supreme Court against his arrest. “Our lawyers are going to the court for urgent mentioning. We will demand that the case be heard tonight itself,” she said.
An ED team, consisting of 12 officials, reached Mr Kejriwal’s residence with a search warrant on Thursday evening and questioned him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act before his eventual arrest. His and his wife’s phones were confiscated and data was transferred from two tablets and a laptop at his home.
As the ED officials carried out their questioning inside the residence, Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel as well as CRPF teams were deployed outside. Prohibitory orders were imposed in the area outside the residence and several AAP workers, who had gathered to protest Mr Kejriwal’s arrest, were detained.
The Delhi chief minister’s arrest comes less than a week after BRS leader K Kavitha was taken into custody in the liquor policy case. After her arrest, Mr Kejriwal was, for the first time, named as a conspirator in the case.
Ever since the first summons was issued by the Enforcement Directorate in October last year and he was asked to appear on November 2, there has been intense speculation that the Delhi chief minister would be arrested by the agency.
Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was put behind bars in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.
Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly said that there was no scam in the Delhi liquor policy and the ED, which he claims is controlled by the BJP, is out to arrest him. The AAP and many other opposition parties have accused the BJP of misusing central agencies against their leaders. The harassment of opposition leaders, they have claimed, has increased in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, which will begin on April 19.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by Enforcement Directorate Amidst Controversy Over Liquor Policy Scam
Q: What is the alleged liquor policy scam Mr. Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested for? A: Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. The probe agency was investigating the money laundering angle in the case.
Q: Why has Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest become significant in Indian politics? A: Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest is significant because he has become the first serving chief minister to be arrested in the history of Independent India. This development has raised eyebrows and stirred controversy, particularly as it comes just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Q: What are the allegations against Mr. Kejriwal? A: Mr. Kejriwal has been accused of involvement in a liquor policy scam. The specifics of the allegations involve purported irregularities related to the liquor policy in Delhi, with the Enforcement Directorate investigating potential money laundering aspects of the case.
Q: What has been Mr. Kejriwal’s response to his arrest? A: Mr. Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. They have labeled his arrest as a conspiracy orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Kejriwal has maintained that he will continue to hold the post of Delhi chief minister despite his arrest.
Q: What legal actions have been taken by Mr. Kejriwal and the AAP in response to his arrest? A: The AAP has approached the Supreme Court against Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest. They are seeking urgent intervention and have expressed their intention to fight the charges against him legally. Additionally, they have criticized what they perceive as the misuse of central agencies by the BJP to target opposition leaders.
Table: Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October, Last Year | First summons issued by Enforcement Directorate |
| November 2, Last Year | Mr. Kejriwal asked to appear before ED |
| February, Last Year | Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrested |
| October, Previous Year | AAP MP Sanjay Singh taken into custody |
| Week Before Arrest | BRS leader K Kavitha arrested |
| Arrest Day | Mr. Kejriwal arrested by Enforcement Directorate |
This timeline highlights key events leading up to and including Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam investigation.