After the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged liquor policy scam, battlelines have been drawn, with his Aam Aadmi Party announcing nationwide protests outside BJP offices today.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear Mr. Kejriwal’s petition against his arrest today, following its denial of an urgent hearing in his plea against the raids. Meanwhile, the probe agency will present the Chief Minister in an ED court.
For security measures, all roads leading to the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters have been closed, permitting only pedestrians. The AAP has called upon all its office-bearers, ministers, and councillors to gather at the main office at 10 am.
Water cannons and paramilitary forces have been stationed on the DDU road, leading to the BJP headquarters. Additionally, the ITO Metro station will remain closed from 8 am to 6 pm today, as per the advice of the Delhi Police, stated the Delhi Metro.
Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, has triggered protests by thousands of party workers and condemnation from the Opposition. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Mr. Kejriwal’s family today.
The AAP has asserted that Mr. Kejriwal will continue to perform his chief ministerial duties from jail, a situation that legal experts suggest may lead to a constitutional crisis.
The Enforcement Directorate, probing a money laundering angle in the alleged liquor policy scam, has labeled Mr. Kejriwal as a “conspirator.” The agency visited Mr. Kejriwal’s home with a search warrant after he failed to respond to nine summonses. Following a search and questioning session, the agency arrested him around 9 pm, seizing phones and data from his home. Mr. Kejriwal spent the night in an ED lock-up after a medical check-up from the RML hospital.
Delhi Minister Atishi has denounced the arrest as a “conspiracy by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” affirming that Mr. Kejriwal will retain his position as Delhi Chief Minister.
In a post-midnight press conference, the AAP announced nationwide protests against the BJP on Friday. In Delhi, the protest will occur outside the BJP headquarters.
Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest comes shortly after BRS leader K Kavitha’s arrest in the liquor policy case, with Mr. Kejriwal being named as a conspirator following Ms. Kavitha’s detention